Saudi Heritage Chiefs Reveals Tourism Makeover on Historic Sites

Saudi heritage chiefs have revealed their plans to take control of various historical and archaeological sites in the country, intending to restore them as tourist attractions.

Among the palaces marked for this initiative are Al-Bogari, Al-Kaaki, and Jabra in Taif, Mardhyah Palace in Al-Ahsa, the Nabonidus site, and properties in Al-Hait.

The CEO of the commission, Jasir Al-Harbash, has approved procedures for selecting representatives for each property and establishing committees to supervise the handovers while negotiating with the present owners.

According to Fawaz Al-Dahas, general director of the Center for the History of Makkah, the initiative will boost the economies of several cities while safeguarding Saudi cultural heritage.

In addition, he emphasized the significance of Taif, Madinah, and Makkah sites as well as their connections to Arab history and the Prophet Muhammad.

Heritage sites, according to Mahdi Al-Qurashi, a Saudi researcher who specializes in the history of Makkah, are essentially out in the open museums that tell the tales of earlier civilizations. “Expropriating some of these sites in Makkah aims to restore them, thus qualifying them to play a tourism and heritage role," he said.

“That comes in the framework of the competent authorities’ efforts, in line with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s comprehensive vision for all sectors, including the antiquities and tourism sector," he further added.

Al- Quraishi concluded by saying, “It is everyone’s duty to advance these historical sites. It is also necessary to preserve historical and archaeological sites, revive them, and establish heritage cultural centers that play their tourism, educational, and economic roles in the most complete manner."