In a statement to SPA, Director General of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) Branch in Asir Region Eng. Mohammed Al-Omrah praised the role of the SCTH branch in Asir Region, which aim at achieving the Kingdom's Vision 2030. This vision has approved tourism and national heritage sectors to be the most important element of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program, and to be the most outstanding alternative to the post-oil economies. The Kingdom's Vision has stressed the importance of reviving the Islamic, Arab and National ancient heritage sites, registering them within the international heritage list, and enabling everyone to access them. Eng. Al-Omrah stated that there are tremendous efforts taken for the preservation of cultural heritage. At the top of which, 425 archaeological sites in Asir Region have been registered in the National Archaeological Register. Additionally, stages of excavation works are carried out in the archaeological sites of Jarash and Al-Ablaa in Bisha Governorate. The "Darb Al-Feel", a historical route, is also retraced and authenticated. Moreover, work has been carried out to discover more than 130 archaeological sites in the region during 2018. Eng. Al-Omrah also said that 45 museum licenses were issued, representing 26% of the total number of private museums in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in addition to the completion of Asir Regional Museum which is expected to be inaugurated by the end of the current year. With regard to heritage sites and villages in Asir Region, Eng. Al-Omrah said that the region contains more than 4,275 heritage villages. These villages are distributed as follows 542 in Abha, 220 in Bareq, 397 in Al-Majardah, 715 in Mahayil and Albark, 406 in Rijal Alma, 237 in Sarat Abidah, 182 in Balqarn, 216 in Al-Namas, 262 in Tathlith, 127 in Dhahran Al-Janub, 127 in Al-Harajah, 246 in Bisha, 66 in Tareb and 73 in Tanouma. --More 12:41 LOCAL TIME 09:41 GMT 0006 www.spa.gov.sa/w1149977