JEDDAH, 16 January 2008 — The Supreme Commission for Tourism (SCT) has chalked out a strategy to develop the Kingdom’s archaeological sites following the merger of the Archaeology and Museums Department with the SCT in 2007.

The strategy is to adopt the latest techniques in developing the archaeological sites as tourist locations over the next five years with stress on the economic returns as well, according to a press statement issued by the commission yesterday.

The SCT intends to regulate the archeological resources of the Kingdom besides identifying the obstacles that stand in the way of developing them in line with a tourist perspective. It would also look for solutions to sidestep the obstacles.

The STC’s plans include the steps to repair and protect archeological sites, documentation and preparation of a national register for archaeology and museums in addition to conducting excavations and explorations. The strategy also emphasizes the exploitation of the economic potentials of the historical sites.

In order to implement its plans, particularly for the promotion of handicrafts and folk artifacts, the SCT announced that it would work in collaboration with several government departments including the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economy and Planning and the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority. The SCT would require the support of the ministries and government agencies at least for five years, the statement said.

The companies and artisans specialized in handicraft production would require financial support for buying raw materials, maintenance of quality and marketing in domestic and international markets, it added.

The SCT’s plans also include integrated projects for refurbishing buildings across the country associated with the unification of the Kingdom by the late King Abdul Aziz. These buildings would be converted to museums that would remind visitors of events related to the establishment of the Kingdom. The SCT has been assured the cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Information, the King Abdul Aziz Foundation and the King Abdul Aziz Public Library for the speedy completion of these projects. The buildings would also serve as ideal venues for cultural events, historical lectures, seminars, art exhibitions and folk shows relevant to each region.

Another SCT plan is to develop heritage villages with the aim of nurturing a spirit of mutual support among locals, in addition to creating jobs.

The SCT is particularly interested in the project because heritage villages will serve as the most suitable platform for holding cultural and heritage activities that would attract tourists in huge numbers. The significance of heritage villages has been established by the Italian heritage village at San Gimignano, where around three million tourists visit annually, Fez in Morocco and Taiba Zaman near Petra in Jordan.

International studies have emphasized the significance of offering financial support to local people to launch heritage-related trades to manufacture folk artifacts and handicraft products in their villages. The financial support would also be required to establish hotels, restaurants, furnished apartments, car rentals and special restaurants where food with a special stamp of the local culture is served. These are some of the factors that guarantee a sustained flow of tourists.

Under this strategy work is progressing in selected locations such as Al-Ghat, Rijal Almae, Dhi Ayn, Jubah and Al-Ula.