Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, UAE vice president, prime minister and ruler of Dubai, opened the SCTA pavilion at ATM on Monday. Several dignitaries, including SCTA President Prince Sultan bin Salman, attended the function.
They also toured the pavilion designed by young Saudi officials at SCTA. The pavilion, of which the major focus is Hejaz Urban Heritage with special attention given to Jeddah, attracted a huge number of visitors. It gives the visitors a unique opportunity to glimpse into the rich heritage and culture of the Hejaz region.
There are four sections of handicrafts at the pavilion — Kaaba covers, distribution of Zamzam, handicrafts, and Arabian zithers. Abdul Mohsen Abanami, director of the general Department for Engineering Affairs and Support Services at the SCTA, said the pavilion highlights the diversity of the Makkah province, which was part of the old Hejaz regio, with its rich urban heritage.
“The pavilion was designed in a way featuring the distinctive characteristics of its urban heritage, especially heritage buildings in Makkah, Jeddah and Taif.
Several artisans from the province have also made their contributions in setting up the pavilion,” he said, adding that the Hejaz House at the pavilion was built using several construction materials, decor and adornment used in the old Hejaz region. The Travel Market presented a good opportunity for tourism and hotel service providers to hold meetings in this house.
After attending the opening ceremony and visiting the SCTA pavilion, Prince Sultan said the commission’s participation in the event is significant and effective. He also addressed a session on the future of tourism in the Middle East and North Africa and ensuring sustainable development in challenging times at the Forum on Future of Tourism, held as part of the event.
