Saudi palaces eyed for tourist hotels

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- Saudi Arabian tourism officials say they're considering turning some of the country's traditional palaces and buildings into luxury hotels.

Officials of the Saudi Commission on Tourism and Antiquities, including Deputy Secretary General for Investment Salah Al-Bukayyet, returned this week from visits to such "traditional hotels" in Spain and Portugal and say it could be done in Saudi Arabia as well, the Saudi Gazette reported.

Al-Bukayyet said his team's visits to the Baradors Hotels in Spain and Bosadas in Portugal showed the potential for turning archeologically preserved palaces and former royal buildings into destination tourism attractions.

The Gazette said the SCTA's visit lasted six days as Saudi officials met with Spanish and Portuguese tourism leaders and traditional hotel operators.

If such conversions were to happen in Saudi Arabia, it would be accomplished by a private sector-government partnership, the newspaper said.