Saudi Arabia set to develop sulphur spring tourism

Saudi Arabia is set to expand its tourism offering with the development of its first natural sulphur spring resort in the northeast of the kingdom.

The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) said it will develop the spring in Hafr Al-Batin for tourists looking for health benefits.

The Commission described the project as a "quantum leap in tourism in Saudi Arabia", Saudi daily Arab News reported on Monday.

“We have religious, entertainment, cultural and safari tourism. Now with this spa will have medicinal tourism,” the paper quoted the Commission as saying.

The project will be built on the international road between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and consists of two large basins that will have about 70 cubic metres of water with temperatures between 60-70 degrees centigrade.

It will have a total area of 3,500 sq m and will also have a number of diving spots, car parks and playgrounds for children.

The paper said the project was a joint venture with Hafr Al-Batin governorate, the municipality and others.

“It will have high quality service that will suit all people and tastes,” it said.
Last month, the Commission said in a report that a total of 22.7 million tourists visited Saudi Arabia last year, spending more than $8bn.

The report, produced by MAS, SCTA's statistical arm, revealed that the total number of jobs created by tourism in the kingdom reached more than 491,750 in 2010, a 2.7 percent increase on the previous year.

The report said that the average daily expenditure per tourist reached SR268 ($71.40) last year, compared with SR168 in 2009 - a rise of 59.1 percent.