Prince Sultan Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), has promised he will hold a meeting soon with officials in Jeddah so that firm decisions are taken to save historic areas of the city. Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Prince Sultan said the Kingdom has lost a lot over the past few months because of the slow pace in the implementation of projects. He emphasized that there will be no demolition of heritage buildings. There were no historical buildings demolished last year, he said. He said citizens are concerned about the historical buildings because tourism has become a source of income for many. He said that the SCTA is financing a large number of heritage villages in cooperation with the Saudi Credit and Savings Bank. Prince Sultan said that there are thousands of historical areas in the Kingdom. He added that the Old Dera'iyah area will be included on the United Nations' Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) World Heritage List. Saudi Arabia currently has one area on the World Heritage List – the Al-Hijr Archeological Site, also known as Madain Saleh. Prince Sultan said about six Islamic countries and 10 international organizations are participating in the first conference on urban heritage in Muslim countries, being organized in Riyadh next Sunday. More than 30 ministers will take part in the conference. He said the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and ministries of education, municipal and rural affairs, higher education and culture and information will take part in the conference. He said participants are expected to redefine the concept of urban heritage. He added that downtown Taif will be developed at a cost of SR160 million, including the opening of Al-Qaissariah Souq in Al-Hofouf and Qassr Al-Bay'ah in Al-Ahsa. In addition to this, a foundation will be laid for the development of the historical central area of Al-Hofouf and 12 sites in the downtown areas of several Saudi cities. He said the great challenge facing the commission is that “we want citizens to know about their country that which they don't know”. About those who claim that the commission is eyeing the citizen's pocket, he said: “This is shameful. We want the citizen to enjoy the beauty of his country.” Other initiatives under way include training for craftsmen on urban heritage with the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC). Another program which will be launched very soon is aimed at preserving heritage buildings.
