The Asir Museum will be one of five major museums to be built to display and record the heritage of the Kingdom and Islam. A further 40 private museums have also been given licenses to operate. This was announced by Prince Sultan Bin Salman, Chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), speaking at a ceremony recently to launch the Asir museum. The foundation stone for the museum was laid by Prince Faisal Bin Khaled Bin Abdul Aziz, Emir of the Asir Region. During the ceremony, Prince Sultan said the SCTA was “working hard” to introduce a comprehensive plan for the development of museums and the architectural heritage of the Kingdom. “This month will witness the signing of contracts for the establishment of five major museums in the Kingdom's regions,” he said. He drew attention to the fact that the SCTA is in the process of establishing two major museums – for Islamic and national heritage at Khuzam Palace in Jeddah and an international museum for the Holy Qur'an in Madina. He said the SCTA has issued licenses to about 40 private museums of a high standard. In a speech on this occasion, Prince Faisal reiterated his call for investment in tourism projects, and he confirmed efforts to make tourism a year-round activity in the Asir Region. Prince Faisal said Abha Museum will play an important role in documenting the region's heritage and described the new project as a “qualitative change”. He also said that he had received documents and urban and technical plans for a number of tourist sites for the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs, in preparation for investment. Prince Faisal and Prince Sultan toured an exhibition that included pictures and plans for the new projects.
