Jeddah, Jumada I 22, 1438, February 19, 2017, SPA -- The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr. Yousef bin Ahmad. Al-Othaimeen stressed that Madinah has the potentials to become a regional hub for heritage and eco-tourism, considering its peculiar ecological attractions, historical landmarks and opportunities for desert trips. This came in his statement on the occasion of the inauguration of Madinah as the capital of Islamic Tourism 2017 on Saturday 18 February 2017 under the patronage of Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, President of Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage and in the presence of Prince Faisal bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Madinah region and President of Tourism Development Council in the region. The OIC Secretary General congratulated the Government and people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the decision of the OIC to grant Madinah the award of capital of Islamic Tourism for the year 2017, stressing that the granting of the third edition of the award to Madinah is indeed a clear testimony to the importance of the holy city in the realm of heritage and eco-tourism, in addition to its character as a preferred destination for Muslim pilgrims. --More 13:07 LOCAL TIME 10:07 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w335342