Prince Sultan bin Salman signs an Integration Memorandum with GACA Chairman of the Board

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His Royal Highness Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the General Authority for Tourism and National Heritage met in his office in Riyadh on Sunday, the Minister of Transport and Chairman of the Board of the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), Mr. Suliman Alhamdan.
HRH welcomed the Transport Minister and President of GACA, valuing his efforts in supporting the General Authority for Tourism and National Heritage and for the development of the outstanding and distinguished cooperation between the two authorities.
HRH expressed his appreciation for the distinctive cooperation linking the two authorities, which resulted in major concrete achievements.  This become evidence in the establishment of airports in a number of areas and tourist destinations.  He praised GACA’s effort in the establishment and the development of an advanced system of airports in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which will contribute in augmenting tourist traffic in the regions.
His Royal Highness, the President of the General Authority for Tourism and National Heritage along the Minister of Transport, chairman of GACA signed follow up cooperation agreement between the two sides.  The agreement included an executive program of action which urges national and local airliners to increase local flights between various regions of the Kingdom yearlong and especially during peak tourist seasons.  This in order to facilitate and accommodate tourist visits to the Kingdom, which has many tourist destinations and heritage sites.
HRH President of the General Authority for Tourism and National Heritage said in a press release after the signing of the memorandum of integration between the two sectors, that this the first time we’re calling the agreement an “Integration Memorandum” and not a cooperation agreement, and the fact that the cooperation is already ongoing.  He proceeded by saying we’re living at time, where we’re witnessing a transformation at the Kingdom level and also at the level of the Tourism Authority.
He went on to say that, “Three years ago, The Tourism Authority began a new phase in strengthening the integration relationship with our partners in a greater and more effective way.  We are assured of a greater cooperation with the Ministry of Transportation and the General Authority of Civil Aviation.  We already have a two weekly unofficial meetings, and at this particular stage we wanted to augment our relationship with the Ministry of Transport.  This in addition to the distinctive and strong relationship with the Ministry of Municipalities and Rural Affairs, which the approach that the authority have taken since its inception”.
He went on to say that the General Authority for Tourism and National Heritage operates according to a strategic plan to develop the infrastructure approved by the State.  Noting that the authority is working with the Ministry of Transport on a very large scale plan to upgrade roads and sites that require services.  All of this is carried out according to a plan to serve our citizens above all, and to service and develop the sector and to strengthen and develop the economy.
HRH the President of the authority stressed that our citizens are the center of all of our attention and the first beneficiary of all this development.  The citizens have the right to have a strong economy, abundant, dignified and comfortable living and be able to educate their families and develop themselves and the abilities and capabilities of their families.  All in an effort to contribute to building a strong economy and strong future.
He added, today the country is blessed with many blessing and that citizens of this country should be the first target in all areas of economic development.  This what was accomplished by the Tourism Authority as a whole complete system, and the Tourism Authority that include a number of government agencies in all of its history has always focused on the vital projects that have great economic returns.  We at the authority are focusing only on what serves and prolong this development.   Honestly we have started the development with Mr. Suliman Alhamdan, the Transport Minister and a number of GACA officials, where the development of King Khalid International Airport have strongly started.  A development that is long overdue, five years delay to be exact.  The airport was supposed to reach 30 million passengers capacity by today, and we are racing time in the number of passengers and services and we have a local population that is demanding these services.
HRH explained that there is development work already commencing in the new terminals, and a plan of development will now continue on the other terminals.  Equally we’re working with GACA on several points requested by the Tourism Authority by virtue of the strategic plan, which is not only a request, but a strategic national tourism plan.  We see an example of this at prince Abdumajeed bin Abdul-Aziz airport in Al-Ula, we’re now working in other airports throughout the Kingdom.  This in addition to GACA’s work on mega projects, all in our efforts to increase transit, as well as tourist and Umrah traffic.  And now work is ongoing on the new King Abdul-Aziz Airport in Jeddah, Madinah, as well as Taif airport.
HRH recalled his early memories while working at the authority saying “we started by signing agreements with government institutions, some were surprised at this approach at the time, but I believe if it wasn’t for Almighty God and these integrated relationships which helped develop this new approach at the administrative level in the Saudi government.  And we would not have been able to focus our efforts toward serving the economy, and not just a list of projects for the media and PR consumption.
Prince Sultan stressed that work is ongoing for a comprehensive economic study to be submitted to the government of Saudi Arabia in collaboration with the World Bank, UNESCO, and the World Tourism Organization and a number of local experts.  The study contains a comprehensive analysis on the role of cultural heritage which is the main engine behind the country’s economy.  He noted that the cultural heritage of today is not only the restoration of aesthetics and nostalgia, as it is in countries such as Italy that thrive on cultural heritage and we are currently working on all these options.
Going back to the existing integration programs between the two sides, HRH the president of the Tourism Authority explained that the Ministry of Transport cooperated with us in the past in the development of the road leading to Alaqeer which goes to the Arabian Gulf, and it was clearing the road that runs through the site, which will cause an economic damage to it.  This in addition to the cooperation on roads projects, and the rest areas which was adopted by the Tourism Authority within its overall strategy.  The Tourism Authority also worked with the Transport Ministry, the municipalities and the Interior Ministry.
He went on to say, a network of six companies were prepped and qualified and things are going on a fast track, and many of these things took a long time, and we call it missed opportunities.  What was achieved in this country of sound and real developments is extraordinary and couldn’t be believed by some, therefore no one can say that our people are not working, and that there is no development.  He noted that what brought the country together before oil was discovered was its people, the people who have total believe in God and those who are wholeheartedly behind their government.  Those who believe in their country and its place today and for its bright future.  We appreciate the role of our citizens who built this country and laid the foundation for the confident and security one feels and they will continue to do so God willing.  He went on to say that the country’s future is not an abstract set of numbers, but a principles and values that has founded nation and this will continue God willing.
He stressed the importance of the civil aviation sector as a major significant economic sector, where tourism and what it represent, as a vital economic activity that is important and the main drive of air traffic throughout the world.  He noted that the Kingdom is witnessing a strategic integration between the tourism and the aviation industry, and that’s the General Authority for Tourism and National Heritage and GACA are now working according to a clear and vibrant program for partnership and integration and are conducting a number of joint programs.  He pointed out that the Tourism Authority is represented in GACA Board of Directors and likewise GACA will be represented in the Tourism Authority Board of Directors in the near future.
HRH said that the cooperation between the two authorities will see a significant shift by the signing of the cooperation agreement, which includes an executive program of a number of programs and important project.  One of these notable project is to increase in flights in tourist seasons, and to encourage investors to invest in the erection of hotels within airport cities projects.  Also to stimulate investment in the most promising tourist destinations, through the erection of local airports nearby.  Also in the pipeline is the construction of aquatic airstrip for water jets in islands.  Work is ongoing to allocate Kiosk for the sale of local handicraft, as well as setting up of stands for displaying tourism and heritage brochures.  This in addition to other areas of cooperation that will be implemented soon.
For his part, the Transport Minister, Mr. Suliman Alhamdan stressed after the signing of the memorandum of integration between the two sides, that the relationship between the two authorities is not something new and it is a relationship that complement one another.  He went on to say what was signed today is an addition to the many agreements and initiatives that we have been working on.  He added that the GACA is responsible for many of the Kingdom’s airports and will be a good conduit for many of the initiatives of the General Authority of Tourism and National Heritage in support of its program and the development of local tourism in all the Kingdom’s sectors and regions.  He went on to say, that we strive to be the best supporter for the Tourism Authority, as you all know there is a representative from the Tourism Authority in GACA Board of Directors, for the purpose of keeping in touch of GACA programs and initiatives.  He stressed the shortage of flights has been addressed fully, pointing out even if we have haven’t reached a stage of full sufficiency, there is a definite desire by all parties to increase of flights, especially to certain destination that deserve an increment in the number of flights.
He added that many of the initiatives in regards to airports, or airliners and the support we give for the Tourism Authority; Mr. Alhamdan clarified that we are eager and enthused about this approach and this we will give full support to any program for the Tourism Authority.  He also added that we will open all of our airports to the needs of the Tourism Authority, such as Al-Ula airport and other airports throughout the region.
According to the agreement, the two authorities shall cooperate in the exchange of statistics and a joint passengers databases, departing, and arriving passengers and their destinations.  The agreement also call for certain sites within the airports to be allocated as tourist information centers to provided free of charge.
The agreement also includes cooperation between the two sides in highlighting the architectural heritage through brochures, films and publications.  It also call for the allocation of places for the exhibition and sale of handicraft items in arrival and departure lounges.  And last the General Authority of Civil Aviation is working on the provision of gifts to its guests that are Saudi Arabian handicraft products.