Arab News June 22, 2009 Muhammad Humaidan
JEDDAH: Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), yesterday discussed the strategic plan for tourism development of Jeddah with Mayor Adel Fakieh.
The talks also focused on the development of Jeddah’s seafront and the southern floodwater canal project as well as the development of Jeddah’s historic center.
Fakieh said the municipality would start developing the northern Corniche within a few days.
“We have already included this project in the current budget,” he said. The middle part of the Corniche would also be developed under the project. The floodwater canal project includes construction of a number of gardens, recreational centers, stalls, restaurants, aquariums, a flower garden, a mist garden and a desert garden.
The mayor earlier briefed Prince Sultan on Jeddah’s strategic plan for tourism development. The municipality wants to hold a number of workshops on various aspects of the seafront project.
“The strategic plan aims at organizing future development of the city, covering urban areas, modes of using land, local economy, environment, social services, culture and heritage, tourism, transportation, infrastructure, seafront tourism management and undeveloped areas,” he said. The municipality is cooperating with the SCTA in tourism, culture, heritage and seafront tourism.
“Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal has given utmost importance for the development of undeveloped residential districts in Jeddah. We have started developing five such districts from a total of 50 districts identified,” the mayor said.
Fakieh said the municipality has launched a number of projects to create more recreation facilities for the public.
Speaking about other areas of cooperation with SCTA, Fakieh said they include development of markets to attract visitors, promotion of conference and medical tourism, and development of businesses focusing on Umrah and Haj pilgrims.
Jeddah, being a business center, attracts a large number of foreign businessmen, he said.
“We should develop our transport system and improve tourism infrastructure and services as part of efforts to promote domestic tourism,” the mayor said.