Saudi- SCTA signs contracts worth SR334m to develop tourism 

(MENAFN - Arab News) The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) signed SR334 million worth of contracts last year to develop the country's tourism industry, including the construction of five regional museums.

SCTA director in charge of contracts and purchases Ahmad Al-Shehri said on Saturday the museums will be located in Dammam, Asir, Tabuk and Baha.

Other projects implemented in 2010 include the renovation of culturally significant sites, including Tabuk Fort, build by the Turks in 1655 on top of a 10th-century fortress, and the site of the Abar Hima ancient rock inscriptions in the southern region of Najran.

The project includes installing improved protective fences around sites in anticipation of increased traffic to these site as the Kingdom aims to promote tourism, especially domestic tourism.

The SCTA also signed consultancy deals in 2010 to assess and collect data and research about the country's tourism assets, as well as develop strategies for investment in the sector by small- and medium-sized tourism-related businesses.

The contracts, according to Al-Shehri, included a number of marketing projects to introduce and promote domestic tourism.

By Walaa Hawari