HERITAGE PLAN FOR TOURISM IN SAUDI ARABIA

The General Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (GCTA) has designated two more villages for cultural and heritage redevelopment in the Asir province. The two villages – Al-

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June 23, 2022

The General Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (GCTA) has designated two more villages for cultural and heritage redevelopment in the Asir province. The two villages – Al-Khalf in Sarat Al-Obaid and Khadima in Dhahran Al-Janub – are part of a heritage plan initiated by the GCTA and the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs. Al-Khadima in Arabic means “old” and Al-Khalf means “behind.” The commission has taken great interest in redeveloping villages and archaeological sites in Asir. It aims to gain the interest and support of local investors by showing them that local tourism is a lucrative investment that would generate jobs. Prince Sultan bin Salman, secretary-general of the GCTA, visited a number of villages in the Asir province and noted the tourism potential of these two particular villages. He also met residents, especially the elderly, and explained how the commission wanted to redevelop their villages in ways that would define the beauty of the region and attract tourists. The secretary-general explained that the Kingdom is rich with diverse cultures, and that the preservation of these cultures and their traditional environments is important for tourism to flourish.