Massive tourism projects planned for Asir region of Saudi Arabia

Twenty-four new tourism projects are to be launched in the middle of next year in Asir Region of Saudi Arabia.

Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdul Aziz, emir of Asir, urged businessmen and investors to invest in tourism projects because such an investment has a huge business potential in the region.

Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, secretary general of the General Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (GCTA), was also present at the meeting.

GCTA will carry out the projects in collaboration with ministries of municipal and rural affairs and agriculture and will give a boost to the Kingdom's tourism industry.

The mayoralty in Asir will invite bidders to carry out four centres on the administrative borders of Asir with Makakh Region, Riyadh, Jizan and Najran. Also included will be the construction of Prince Sultan Park and four other parks in Gara and Al Yazed, which will serve as cultural and tourist edifices in the region.

These projects will focus on the heritage buildings, travel and tourism, antiquities and museums. The projects are expected to have a huge impact on tourism in the region, Saudi government officials said. The region will occupy a key venue on the tourism map, both nationally and internationally.

According to Prince Sultan, area residents will benefit from the industry with the influx of tourism cash.

Among the projects, the most important ones include the development of new tourist sites including Al Ghma site and the Shopping City and tourist resort on Al Souda Road and the Youth Town in Al Habla.