RIYADH: Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), has said that tourism can create economic growth in every region and provide job opportunities for every strata of society “whenever the support, interest and interaction are found”. That involvement and cooperation, the prince said, is what “turns hopes into reality and into projects and activities held continually throughout the year”. Prince Sultan issued a statement at the end of a visit to Al-Jouf in which he emphasized the “direct concern and monitoring” of the region's sites of tourist and archaeological interest by the regional Emir Prince Fahd Bin Bandar Bin Abdul Aziz. “He is keen to see tourist projects finished as soon as possible,” Prince Sultan said. “The SCTA is capable currently of working seriously with the municipalities and other bodies, and we have seen from the preparation of archaeological and heritage sites and sites for visitors that Al-Jouf has a great wealth especially in historic sites and buildings, and in terms of human resources and infrastructure, and this bodes well for a great renaissance.” The prince added that a number of projects were agreed upon during his visit, and praised the local population for making the region an “outstanding example” with events such as its olive festival, one of the largest seasonal festivals in the Kingdom.
