Okaz/Saudi Gazette BURAIDAH — The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) recently launched the Kingdom's first rural inn and a heritage hotel in the central region of Qassim. The move aims at drawing more domestic and foreign tourists to the region and strengthening its agricultural sector. About 90 farms have been selected by SCTH to promote rural tourism in Qassim, said Ibrahim Al-Mushaiqeh, director general of the commission in the region. "We believe this venture would boost agricultural tourism in Qassim," he told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. The program will allow potential tourists to enjoy living near farms. "We intend to organize a variety of programs to woo tourists and enhance their enthusiasm to visit rural Qassim," he said. Al-Mushaiqeh said the program would help exploit Qassim's agricultural potential for strengthening tourism. "We'll organize educational, recreational and cultural programs in selected farms to make rural tourism really attractive and entertaining." At the same time, he said the program would help farmers receive additional income and encourage them to develop their farms. "It will have economic and social benefits and create more jobs for Saudis," he explained. "About 90 farms have received membership in the rural tourism program while many others in Buraidah, Unaizah, Bakiriya, Badaie, Riyadh Al-Khubara, Maleeda, Mudneb and Quwara are seeking enrollment," Al-Mushaiqeh said. The agricultural tourism program was developed by farmers with the support of the SCTH and other partners, he said. "We have signed an agreement with the Saudi Agricultural Development Fund to support this program by extending soft loans to farmers who have obtained membership in the program based on certain conditions," the SCTH official said. He said the fund would provide loans to farmers who wanted to join the program after developing their farms. "Farmers will also receive technical support and consultancy services. They will get assistance to join the program apart from marketing support." Farmers will receive marketing support through publications, electronic websites, social media networks, media coverage, specialized exhibitions and visits of tour operators. "We'll also conduct workshops, specialized programs and introductory visits for farmers who have won membership. We'll support farmers to organize attractive recreational programs to make tourists happy," said Al-Mushaiqeh. "We'll recommend some rural tourism sites in Qassim among the major tourist attractions in the Kingdom," he added. Al-Mushaiqeh emphasized the need for infrastructure development in the region, not only to attract tourists but also to improve living conditions of the region's residents. "Many roads and streets in the region require pedestrian bridges as there are shops, educational institutions and government departments on both sides of these roads," he pointed out. Students have to wait for a long time to cross the road and speeding vehicles would hit them if they do the crossing hastily. "For many students, crossing the busy road is a nightmare," Zenaid said. Abdullah Mohsen said the bridge constructed in front of the Armed Forces Hospital would not serve the elderly as they would not be able to climb its steep stairs. "It's designed without taking the elderly into consideration," he said, adding that bridges should be designed for the benefit of all. "A run-over case occurred before my eyes recently. A motorist hit a small child who was crossing the Military City Road with his family," Mohsen said, adding that the child died instantly in front of his mother and brothers. "It was horrific," he added. "An employee of a commercial shop also died after he was hit by a vehicle while crossing the road. I am sure bridges will save many lives and then why this neglect?" he asked.
