Makkah, February 17, 2020, SPA -- Under the patronage of Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Region, the First Forum for Tourist Guides will kick off on Wednesday 19th February, 2020. Makkah Tourism Development Council will host the four-day forum. Secretary General of Makkah Tourism Development Council Dr. Hisham bin Mohammad Madani stated that the forum will witness the inauguration of the forum’s website and social media accounts, adding that 500 female and male tourist guides, licensed by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH), will participate in the forum. Different workshops and tours to museums will be also a part of the forum, the statement added. The forum is held annually on the occasion of International Tourist Guide Day which is celebrated each year on 21st February. It is worth noting that upon the directive of Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, the forum will be held annually in Makkah Region and this forum is considered as the first, which will become in the future a global one to exchange experiences between tourist guides. --SPA 14:14 LOCAL TIME 11:14 GMT 0008 www.spa.gov.sa/w1267877