The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) has pledged to make Asir a major tourist destination with an allocation of SR10 million in the first year. Of this amount, SR7 million will be spent on marketing, while SR3 million will be invested in attracting experts.

This initiative was announced by the director general of the Asir branch of the SCTA, Mohamed Al-Umrah, after a meeting between the executive committee of the initiative, the chairman of the supervisory committee, the general chairman of the authority, Walid Al-Hamidi, and the chairman of the executive secretary of Asir, Ibrahim Mohammed Khalil. The meeting was also attended by a number of other partners and stakeholders.

Al-Umrah said the funds pledged by SCTA Chairman Prince Sultan bin Salman is for the first year, and will increase in the coming years. “The committee discussed during the meeting the best ways to invest the funds allocated in marketing Asir as a tourist destination,” he added.

Recommendations included a series of exhibitions and conferences to promote tourism, seeking approval from the Ministry of Agriculture to start organizing a forum to exchange agricultural experiences, as well as calling on local centers and institutes specialized in training and rehabilitation to encourage the establishment of programs and sessions in Abha.

He said that the committee commissioned the Youth Council of Asir to follow up on the recommendations.

During the meeting, participants discussed accessibility and aviation issues, such as the implementation of the road project between Abha and Al-Darb, he said. The committee called on sub-municipalities to generate private investment for roadside rest stations and to invite Flynas to join as a member of the committee.

A meeting will discuss how the airline can increase its seating capacity to accommodate more passengers to and from Abha, said Al-Umrah.

Additionally, King Khalid University was requested to provide statistics on the activities and programs in support of the initiative, while the Urban Observatory Center will monitor performance indicators.