JEDDAH — A total of 600 houses and 40 buildings are being renovated in the old Jeddah area in order to meet UNESCO heritage regulations. The director-general of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities' Makkah branch, Mohammad Al-Amri, said the number of buildings to be renovated in the area has increased from 18 to 40 and many of these have remained untouched since 1950. He said: “The municipality has issued the most number of renovation licenses to date. After old Jeddah was registered as an international heritage site by UNESCO, owners of the historical buildings have become more cooperative.” The commission has plans to turn old Jeddah into a tourist attraction with hotels, cultural and traditional restaurants and souks. He said: “The Jeddah Historical Festival that will kick off on Wednesday will feature two new historical houses added to the old Jeddah tour. The commission also plans to renovate one of the buildings there and turn it into one of its permanent offices.” Prince Sultan Bin Salman, President of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), Makkah Emir Prince Mishal Bin Abdullah, and Jeddah Governor Prince Mishal Bin Majid will jointly lay the foundation stone for the renovation of Jeddah Historic House at a function to be held at the Pledge of Allegiance Square on Jeddah's Historic Area on Tuesday. The house, that originally belonged to Bait Zainal, will serve as headquarters of SCTA and center for several activities related to the Historic Area. A model of Jeddah World Heritage will also be unveiled during the occasion.
