In this file photo, Prince Sultan bin Salman speaks during an interview in Houston.

Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), says his organization plans to launch the “Umrah-Plus Tourism” program shortly, allowing foreign pilgrims to visit the Kingdom’s tourist resorts, historical sites and museums.

“The SCTA will coordinate with the Foreign, Interior and Haj Ministries to implement the program,” the prince said, adding that it would have a big impact in changing the perception of Haj and Umrah pilgrims about historical sites in the country while boosting the Kingdom’s economy.

Prince Sultan made this comment after signing an agreement with the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques to enhance cooperation between the two organizations to preserve Islamic artifacts and take care of Islamic historical sites.

“Our efforts are aimed at serving Islam and Muslims and highlighting Islamic culture and heritage,” said the SCTA chief. “We’ll develop Islamic historical sites with our partners, open them to visitors and appoint trained guides to provide tourists with correct information in light of the Islamic faith,” he said.

Prince Sultan stressed the significance of relics found in different parts of the Kingdom, adding that they show great Saudi Arabian heritage and its contribution to human civilization over the past centuries.

In a previous statement, Prince Sultan said the Umrah-Plus Tourism would benefit pilgrims from 65 countries, creating thousands of job opportunities for Saudis.

“We will work with Saudi universities to develop academic programs to meet manpower requirements in the travel and tourism sector,” the prince said.

Abdul Shukoor Ali, a tourism business executive, said the Umrah-Plus program would increase the number of pilgrims visiting the Kingdom and strengthen the country’s economy, since more than six million foreign pilgrims visit the Kingdom annually.

“At present pilgrims are able to visit only Makkah and Madinah. The new program will allow them to visit places like Madain Saleh, Madain Shuaib, Haqel, Abha and Taif. We hope this service would be available to pilgrims from all countries,” he said.

Tourism has the potential to become the second largest revenue-earning sector after oil, Ali said.

“The new move is significant at a time when oil prices are falling in the international market,” he added.

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