Establishment of a fund exclusively to develop tourism sector is crucial to promote domestic tourism, Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, said here Friday. He said an appeal for the fund was made 11 years ago and has the backing of the Shoura Council. The SCTA had laid down ideas regarding the fund in which the state has an important role, he said. The issue of tourist visas to foreign nationals is not important for the SCTA, he said, adding that the tourism body's main aim is to serve the Saudi citizens and promote domestic tourism. “We are being lenient in letting huge investments and people's money get out of the Kingdom while we have opportunities for domestic tourism,” he said. He said initially when tourist visas were issued, 9,000 foreign tourists visited the Kingdom per annum. These visitors, he said, came in organized groups based on a certain schedule and services. At this stage, he said, the commission is concentrating mainly on the citizen especially “with the demand we see.” Prince Salman also emphasized that this demand must be met with adequate services. __
