Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah, begins Saturday a four-day visit to the region of Taif during which he will hold a series of meetings with regional authorities to review development works and tourism promotion. Prince Khaled's visit will take in the towns of Taif, Turba, Ranya, Al-Khurma and Ashira where he will meet with local councils, tribal sheikhs, and prominent members of the community. He is also scheduled to lay the foundation stones for the College of Hotel Management and Tourism in Taif and a development project in the historic heart of the town. The Emir will also hear requests from the region's inhabitants for a series of infrastructure and services measures. Inhabitants of the town of Sha'ar in Turba are expected to call for progress in desalination works, the opening of a local Civil Defense office and a police station, and the building of a health center, while Al-Ghuraif locals will present to Prince Khaled a complaint concerning the suspension of works on their local health care center. In Al-Khurma, residents will make known their health concerns and request the establishment of a designated industrial zone, as well as highlight their lack of a water network. They will also inform Prince Khaled of the suspension since five years ago in issuing 4,000 municipality grants. In Ashira in the north of Taif, home to some 30,000 people, the Emir will hear locals' wishes for increased services, including the opening of a Red Crescent center. Prince Khaled is also scheduled to meet on Saturday with members of the Makkah province council to discuss completed and ongoing water projects as well as ways to improve the work of regional administrations. He will be briefed on reports on local council meetings held in Al-Jumoum, Al-Khurma, Taif, Al-Kamil, Turba and Al
