The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) has agreed contracts worth SR41.1 million for a variety of schemes to promote tourism and improve tourist services in the second half of 2009. Ahmad Abdullah Al-Shihri, Director of Purchasing and Contracts Administration, said the schemes included the introduction of technological support at the SCTA, museum and archeological site maintenance work in Al-Jouf, the Northern Border province and the southern region, and consultancy work for the school tourism education project “Ibtasim”, which aims to consolidate patriotism through appreciation for national cultural sites in the Kingdom. Other contracts involve surveys to acquire information and data on tourist facilities and accommodation in the Kingdom, as well as the status of hotel investment and related opportunities. Funds will also go toward an exhibition at this year's Saudi Tourism Investments Forum in Riyadh, an annual event to promote tourism services in the Kingdom and attract the marketing sector and other investors to the tourism industry.
