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Hot Springs sites in the Al Khoba Center, Jazan are increasingly gaining recognition for their therapeutic value. The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) is close to completion of technical studies for the development of this unique site into a Health Tourism investment opportunity. A team of SCTA experts visited Al Khoba recently to collect additional information and latest updates on the Hot Springs development project in the region.
The team, headed by the Director-General, Tourism Sites Development, Eng. Osama bin Saeed Al khalwee, accompanied by the project consultants met with the Governor of Al Harth Municipality along with the Village Assembly’s Chief in Al Khoba administration center for the perceptions and expectations of the initial development of the site, the existing markets and the quality of the anticipated projects.
Eng. Al Khalwee said that the process of meetings with the officials of the region will continue to evaluate the Al Khoba Hot Springs as an investment opportunity for Health Tourism. This will be in the backdrop of the region’s ‘environmental determinants’ and the sensitivity of the program to attract investments in Health Tourism and create economic opportunity for the local community. He expects the study program to conclude in about four months time.
He pointed out that the development of this project comes within the framework of activating the cooperation agreements concluded with the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and the Secretariat General of Jazan region in order to augment influx of large segment of tourists at the regional as well as local levels.
Eng. Al Khalwee added that the SCTA has commissioned a consulting office for the work of the specialized technical studies necessary for the development of Al Khoba Hot Spring sites, considering that the site has high value in its environmental capabilities for the project envisaged.
Al Khoba Hot Springs are located near the administration center of Al Khoba, south-east of Jazan at a distance of 70 kilometers from the city, and at an altitude of 160 meters from the sea level adjacent to the Khalap valley. The site includes four springs flowing into oval shaped pit, located within a natural basin. This pit has dimensions of 16x12x5 meters, length, breadth and depth respectively – the water temperature emerging from the springs ranges between 58-75 degrees Celsius. The water from these hot springs finally flows directly into the Khalap valley.
Al Khoba region is characterized by its beautiful environment with varied terrain, characteristic vegetation, high mountains, and steep valleys and the hills and plains, giving the site a unique distinction. The region includes a number of products for the tourist market, such as Al Khoba’s famous weekly markets in the region. The Al-Khoba market is famous for a wide variety of animals on offer, as well as the usual clothes and textiles. The market, in the south of Jazan close to the border with Yemen, hosts every Thursday not only birds of prey, but deer, huge gerbils, hedgehogs, rabbits and canaries. The women’s market displays a wide range of handmade crafts by saleswomen dressed in traditional Yemeni country clothes of long dresses and tall straw hats. Al Khoba is also distinguished for its rich cultural and natural heritage and enriching tourist sites highlighting a system of integrated products.
Significantly, Al Khoba site is one of the exceptional sites approved for development into the Health Tourism sector by SCTA.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
