SCTA President chairs the 34th meeting of SCTA Board
Almasalla Arab Travel Portal News – The Board praised the Cabinet s recent approval of "King Abdullah Project for the Care of Cultural Heritage of the Kingdom", and the Cabinet resolution for the “Provision of financial and administrative support to SCTA".
The Board praised HRH Crown Prince for attending a presentation on "King Abdullah’s Project for Cultural Heritage" and asserting the importance of the cultural heritage as an important part of country’s history and identity.
SCTA to re-structure its executive bodies in order to keep up with the requirements of the execution of the latest resolutions of the Cabinet.
Rise in domestic tourists number during the school mid-term break to 812,372, spending SR 945 million.
Study of (10) cultural and heritage sites in the preparation of registering them in the World Heritage List.
His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, President of SCTA, on Wednesday, 19th February, chaired at the headquarters of SCTA the 34the meeting of the Board of Directors of SCTA.
At the outset of the meeting, the Board commended the recent resolutions made by the Cabinet on "King Abdullah Project for the Care of Cultural Heritage of the Kingdom" and "Provision of financial and administrative support to SCTA to enable it to carry out its mandate".
The board stressed the importance of the two resolutions which reflect State’s care and attention towards the development of national tourism and enhancement of the national heritage as an important national asset.
HRH President of SCTA, the Chairman of the Board, in this context said, "King Abdullah Project for the Care of Cultural Heritage of the Kingdom" is one of the outstanding initiatives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques for supporting the national heritage and Kingdom’s history. The resolution crowned the exerted efforts for raising the awareness on the importance of the heritage and creating a quantum leap in its development and making it a part of people’s daily life.
In the Antiquities and National Heritage field, the board decided the following:
The board appreciated HRH Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minster of Defense, Chairman of King Abdul Aziz Dara, for receiving on Thursday, 13th February, HRH President of SCTA, Board Member of King Abdul Aziz Dara, in addition to His Excellency the Minister of Culture and Information, who is a Board Member of King Abdul Aziz Dara, where within the reception HRH Crown Prince viewed a presentation on "King Abdullah Project for the Care of Cultural Heritage of the Kingdom".
The Board members were briefed by the board chairman on the directives of HRH Crown Prince (may Allah protect him) during the reception who stressed that the project is of a particular importance because it is named after the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and that the antiquities represent a key part of Saudi history and reflect its culture and heritage, and that civilized nations pay great attention to their heritage and keenness to preserve it.
The board reviewed a report on infrastructure’s projects, scientific research, sites rehabilitation and development, raising awareness on heritage’s importance, and importance of heritage preservation.
Board Chairman has informed the board members on SCTA’s current efforts for restructuring its executive bodies to keep up with the requirements of execution of recent resolutions of the government which were crowned by "King Abdullah Project for the Care of Cultural Heritage of the Kingdom" and the resolution for "Provision of necessary financial and administrative support to SCTA" in addition to the recommendations of the "Report of domestic tourism – strategic option to create jobs for citizens".
The Board extended special appreciation to HRH Minister of the National Guard, Head of Supreme Committee of Al Janadriyah Cultural and Heritage Festival, for patronizing the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the "Tourism and Heritage Oasis" pavilion at the Al Janadriyah location. The board on the other hand extended its appreciation to STC and Al Tayyar Group for participating in the establishment of the pavilion.
In this context, the board commended the great role played by Al Janadriyah Festival in the preservation of national heritage and handicraft of the Kingdom and its continuous success under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz (may Allah save him) since it was only an idea until being a tremendous national demonstration for heritage and culture in the region today.
The board commended the remarkable success made by the 3rd National Urban Heritage Forum which was organized by SCTA in Al Madina during 8-12 December, 2013. The forum was opened in the presence of HRH President of SCTA under the patronage of HRH Governor of Al Madina.
The board extended its appreciation to HRH Governor of Asir, for hosting the upcoming 4th National Urban Heritage Forum in Asir from 1st to 4th December, 2014.
The Board commended the Festival of Jeddah Historic Area which was organized during 16-25 January, 2014, and referred to the notable success it has achieved and the heavy turnout it has witnessed. Also commended the great initiatives made by Jeddah municipality and businessmen and area owners, praising the great efforts made by Prince Mesh’al bin Majed Jeddah, the Mayor, in the organization of the events of the festival.
The board commended the laying of foundation stone of Ze Ain Heritage Village Development Project in Al Baha under the patronage of HRH Al Baha Governor, Chairman of Al Baha Tourism Development Council. The board also commended the foundation stone laying of the first phase of Sodos Heritage Town in the presence of Al Daryiah Mayor, in addition to His Excellency Faisal bin Abdul Rahman bin Mo’amar, Advisor of the Custodian for King Abdul Aziz Center for National Dialogue.
In the tourism field:
The board extended its appreciation to HRH Governor of Riyadh, Chairman of Riyadh Tourism Development Council, who was the honorary guest of the last SCTA employee annual gathering, in which he spoke about the expertise of the Riyadh province in the areas of tourism and national heritage and its close partnership with SCTA for the development of those areas. The board in this respect commended Riyadh Governor’s great efforts in the development of tourism and heritage sectors across the province.
The board expressed its appreciation to both the individuals and bodies who were honored by SCTA in its last annual gathering, stressing on the SCTA’s policies for keeping on partnership methodology with both the public and private authorities, and its keenness to honor the individuals and bodies that had great contributions to the development of tourism and national heritage, and recognize their efforts in the interest of their country in this field.
The board commended HRH Governor of Asir for launching the initiative of "Asir… a key tourism destination around the year", which includes a number of events and programs aimed at transforming the tourism activity in the Asir province from seasonal activity to around the year activity.
The board commended the success of the 2nd session of the Saudi Colors Forum, which was held at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Center in December, 2013, and the remarkable visitor turnout and interaction the forum has achieved.
The board reviewed the assortment of tourism events that had taken place during the school mid-term break throughout Kingdom’s different parts, which reached 23 festivals organized by provincial Tourism Development Council in collaboration with relevant authorities. The board referred to the large number of visitors who attended these festivals, estimated at over a million visitors according to the statistics of MAS, Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities’ statistical arm.
The board also referred to the notable raise in the number of domestic tourists during the last school mid-term break which reached 812,372, with an increase of 23.5% compared to last year, and that their expenditure was over SR 945,000,000 (30.3% over last year).
The board in this context reasserted the importance of promoting tourism services, products and programs in order to create the tourism integrated experience to meet the citizen’s aspirations as the citizen is the key target of SCTA’s programs and activities.
The board during the meeting reviewed the following issues:
The board reviewed, Board Chairman’s meetings with the chiefs of the Saudi-International joint excavation teams who are undertaking excavation works throughout the provinces of the Kingdom. HRH the Chairman of SCTA Board has met 10 teams in two meetings, the first in November, 2013, and the second on December, 2013. Also HRH made two field visits, one to Safaga site in Al Dawadmi municipality in January, 2014, and the other one to Madain Saleh (Al Hijir) early in February, 2014.
The board reviewed a report on the most important field works in 2013 over 27 excavation sites in which a number of international missions are taking part according to the joint agreements of cooperation signed by SCTA with the national and international research and academic organizations.
The board reviewed a report on the ten cultural heritage sites that are proposed for being registered in UNESCO’S World Heritage List.
The board reviewed a report on the most important field works in 2013 over 27 excavation sites in which a number of international missions are taking part according to the joint agreements of cooperation signed by SCTA with the national and international research and academic organizations.
The board reviewed a report on the ten cultural heritage sites that are proposed for being registered in UNESCO’S World Heritage List.
The board reviewed a report on the achievements of the National Program for Conventions and Exhibitions during the period (27th May, 2013, to 1st Jan, 2014). The board recommended the report to be submitted to the King.
The board briefed on SCTA’s participation in the national and international events, the most important of which were HRH President of SCTA’s official visit to Pakistan at the invitation of Pakistani government during 6th to 8th Feb, 2014, during which HRH President of SCTA met the Pakistani President and the Premier.
The board reviewed a report on the agreements of international cooperation which included signing of (35) agreements, memorandums of understanding and executive programs for the cooperation in the areas of tourism, antiquities, museums, and archeological excavations, with a number of countries and international organizations including universities, research centers and the relevant organizations.
The board reviewed two memorandums of cooperation that were signed by SCTA with the Taibah University and with Al Madina municipality on 8th Dec, 2013, accordingly the total number of signed memorandums of cooperation with both the public and private sectors so far reached 92.
The board reviewed a report on the work progress in SCTA’s restructuring, which aims to enable SCTA’s different departments to properly deal with the work requirements and developments effectively and excellence.
The board at the end of its meeting approved the 14th annual report of SCTA for 2013.
