Tourism & Hospitality | Sunday 22 January, 2017 4:53 am |

Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal received the Prince Sultan bin Salman Award for Urban Heritage “Achievement for Life Award,” in Jeddah.
The Makkah governor appreciated Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH), for presenting him with the award.
Prince Khaled highlighted the importance of maintaining and taking care of Saudi national heritage, as well as presenting it to younger generations. He stressed on the need for using various natural assets in Makkah, and developing them to boost tourism in the region.
Prince Sultan said he and the award committee are proud that Prince Khaled received the award.
Prince Sultan said: “His Highness is a pioneering personality and a school which teaches us how to take care of heritage, history and culture.”
He said the purpose of the award is to create awareness about the importance of urban heritage, maintaining and developing it, and encouraging dealing with it as it is the starting point of a better future that springs from an original urban culture. He said national heritage should be made part of the social and economic life.
Prince Khaled, during his time as governor of Asir, carried out development and modernization. He established the first tourist company in New Abha, which played an important role in achieving and developing tourist facilities, and boosting entertainment and hotel services.
Prince Khaled made great contributions in supporting projects related to national heritage, and has enhanced its status as a basic element for national identity.
He made domestic tourism an important aspect of the Saudi economy, and encouraged the private sector to participate in this area, making tourism a major source of income for citizens of the region.
This award is given to people who have played a key role in maintaining heritage and its identity. It is given either to individuals, companies, or professionals. It crowns the efforts of those who work in maintaining and renovating urban heritage in the Kingdom, and the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (GCC).
The award in its fourth session, was given to King Salman, when he was the crown prince, deputy prime minister and minister of defense, during a ceremony at Al-Murabbah Palace in 2012, for his efforts in maintaining urban heritage, caring for, and supporting heritage programs.
The first award was given to Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, in 2006.