ABHA — The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) has approved 24 new projects in the tourism housing sector. Asir Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage head Mohammad Al-Umrah said hotels across the Kingdom, particularly in Asir, are playing a vital role in the growing sector. "Seventeen of the 24 projects will be new hotels established in Asir, which aims to be a tourist attraction all year round and not just during seasonal holidays. There will be four new five-star hotels in Abha, two new five-star hotels in Khamis Mushayt, two new five-star hotels in Bisha, a four-star hotel in Abha, a four-star hotel in Bisha, a four-star hotel in Al-Namas, a four-star hotel in Tanawamah and a four-star hotel in Bariq," said Al-Umrah. He added there will also be a three-star hotel in Abha, a three-star hotel in Khamis Mushayt, a three-star hotel in Ahad Rufaidah and a three-star hotel in Al-Birak. "There is also a project for hotel villas. A four-star hotel villa project will be built in Abha, a four-star hotel suits will be built in Abha as well and a four-star hotel resort will be built in Abha as well. "There is also a four-star hotel resort which will be built in Al-Birak," said Al-Umrah. He also said there will also be a four-star hotel apartment project built in Abha, Al-Majaridah and Tanawamah. "Asir's hotels are growing by 53 percent and the area is turning into a tourist attraction. These new projects will increase the rate of tourism in the area all year round. Moreover, Al-Ula Governorate in Madinah is also opening up as a tourist attraction as it is the first site to be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Kingdom," he said.
