Tourism & Hospitality | Saturday 16 May, 2015 2:23 am |

Citizens and expatriates should be encouraged to visit the country’s growing number of public and private museums, say owners and government officials.
There are nearly 200 private museums in the Kingdom, including 64 that have met the government’s stringent operating conditions, according to statistics released recently by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA).

Museums provide a glimpse into the rich history of the Arab world, and a great deal of material for cultural researchers. Awareness programs should be launched at schools on these benefits, they said.
However, there was praise for the SCTA’s projects to develop museums and other activities that have helped boost tourism in the country.
Tariq Al-Jubeir, an official at the Museum of Education History, said: “The majority of people do not know that there are archaeological and educational museums in the Kingdom.

In addition, most museums are limited to certain visitors at certain times, such as those at universities.”
He said there should be more public awareness programs launched. In addition, many museums do not have proper facilities such as bathrooms and cafes, he said.
Speaking about the history of Saudi museums, Abdullah bin Saud Al-Saud, director general of the National Museum, said: “The first government museum in the Kingdom was the Museum of Antiquities and Folklore established in 1978. The community was not familiar with its role and cultural importance as an education institution.”
He said this was followed by the opening of small local museums, including temporary ones, to create a strong museum culture in the community. He said it was important for young people to visit these places.

The Eastern Province has Dammam regional museum, Al-Ahsa Museum, Museum of Saudi Aramco and 12 private licensed museums.