Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector-General Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, who also chairs the Board of Directors of the Higher Commission for Tourism (HCT), attended in Riyadh yesterday the opening of the third Islamic conference of ministers of tourism hosted by the Kingdom in cooperation with the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). In his address, Prince Sultan observed that the conference is being held "at a time when the Islamic world faces a number of challenges on political, economic, social and cultural levels". During these critical circumstances, he said, "we have to deal in an organized and scientific way to make a real impact in dealing with challenges in our changing world." Prince Sultan went on to state: "We should move towards that end out of our noble Islamic principles, which call for the building up of societies and nations in a secure and stable environment and within the framework of constructive cooperation and respect of others."

Pointing out that tourism has become a major economic industry that can reveal to the world "the civilized and bright face of Islam", Prince Sultan said: "The objectives of tourism and its results should be based on environmental and economic balance as God Almighty has commanded us not to go out onto the land with mischief."

At a press conference following the conference, Prince Sultan remarked that tourism in the Kingdom is promising. He urged the media to work for this noble goal, and called for coordination between the HCT and the relevant government bodies in this respect.

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