SCTNH gears up to galvanize tourism sector

HISTORY IN THE MAKING: Work in progress at a heritage building in Riyadh. (AN photo)

RIYADH: With a Vision 2030 aim to reduce dependence on oil by diversifying revenue sources, the government has turned its eyes on huge untapped potential of Saudi tourism.
The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH) has geared up to transform the national heritage and tourism sector into ambitious projects, offering quality services and thus drawing tourists. It will go a long way in promoting national identity, linking citizens to nation’s history and heritage. The tourism programs and activities that SCTNH is expected to unfold will further strengthen the sense of patriotism.
One of its main programs includes entertainment and recreation options to citizens. Entertainment is considered as an important component of tourism especially during vacations when Saudis want to spend quality time with family and friends away the daily routine. The SCTNH signed an agreement with the Saudi Judicial Society (SJS) last month to foster awareness of national heritage and its connection to tourism.
The importance of the agreement is that it seeks to raise awareness among different groups in society, especially investors and tourists, and informs everyone of the regulations regarding tourism, antiquities and urban heritage and the rights and obligations of all citizens. In an effort to increase public awareness of the diversity and vulnerability of its cultural heritage, the Kingdom marked World Heritage Day this year by organizing the heritage and arts forum with the theme “Honor Your Heritage In Museums.”
This involved a focus on raising public awareness of the importance of preserving the national heritage as well as increasing the role of museums in the development and preservation of cultural heritage by highlighting its importance among the members of the local community and building strategic partnerships which will encourage this.
The “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosque’s Program for the Care of the Kingdom’s Cultural Heritage” is at the forefront of such projects in order to strengthen national identity as it aims to emphasize national treasures and the Kingdom’s heritage and open it up to citizens to experience and recognize the cultural heritage of the Kingdom and all its civilizations. The program is patronized by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman because of the importance of persuading citizens to stay in their homeland and enjoy its potential and resources.
This effort to offer entertainment to residents will help substantially reduce the number of citizens and residents who go abroad with their families during vacations.
The SCTNH is implementing a number of important programs; the most significant of them are the national heritage awareness program, monuments and museums projects, urban heritage and handicraft projects, and recovery of national antiquities from inside and outside the Kingdom.
Many such projects will be carried out during the next four years under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Program for Care of Cultural Heritage which includes opening 18 museums across the Kingdom, making 56 heritage sites ready for visitors and completing a number of projects for the heritage hospitality company.