Eastern Province set to become tourism hub

Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province will become one of the most important tourist destinations in the Gulf for families by 2020, according to a report published by the Arabic daily, Okaz.

The province can offer Gulf state residents recreation, historical sites, desert and maritime activities while safeguarding Islamic traditions. It can also become a business centre.

With this vision, Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd, Emir of the Eastern Province, offered a tourism development plan for the region, which he referred to Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Interior, for approval and implementation.

Unlike Makkah and Madina, the Eastern Province does not benefit from a large number of visitors who come for religious obligation. However, it has a higher percentage of tourists and people visiting for business reasons.

Dammam is classified as the second city after Jeddah as a destination that combines tourism for the purpose of recreation, visiting relatives and friends and carrying out business.

The plan proposes 17 projects to develop tourism in the Eastern Province.

These include four projects in Dammam, including developing the seafront. Beaches and heritage sites will also be improved on Taroot Island.