A group of 30 journalists from different Arab countries touring the Kingdom discussed the upcoming tourism projects in the Makkah region with Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah, at his residence yesterday. “Jeddah, Makkah and Taif will witness huge development projects in the near future,” Prince Khalid said. “Jeddah is the gate to Makkah, Taif is the summer capital and Makkah is the most sacred city for Muslims all over the world, they all need more development.” “Saudis have everything required to be a first world country,” he said. “There is no excuse for Saudi (Arabia) to remain a third world (country).” The prince, famous for his poetry, was asked if he would write poems for the Makkah region as he did when he was Emir of Asir. “I think Makkah is well-known among the Arabs and Muslims, my poems will not add anything new.” Prince Khalid said. “Asir needed promotion, hence we advertised poems to let people know about it.” “At Souq Okaz in Taif, we started a program a few months ago to attract poets from all Arab countries,” he said. “There is an annual prize for the best poet.” The journalists were invited by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities and they arrived in Jeddah on Monday after touring Asir, Al-Baha, Taif and Makkah. Mohammed Al-Omari, executive director of the Commission and Mesh'al Al-Sudairi, marketing manager, received them at the Jeddah Westin Hotel. Al-Watan Folklore Band greeted them with some of Jeddah's pure cultural performances. The journalists will continue their tour to Durat Al-Arous, where one of the largest tourism projects is going on, Khozam Palace, Al-Taybat City, Balad, Mersal village and will end it with visiting Jungle Land. __
