The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) has approved contracts worth SR41.1m for a variety of schemes to promote tourism and improve tourist services in the second half of 2009, the Saudi Gazette has reported. The schemes include the introduction of technological support at the SCTA, museum and archaeological site maintenance work in Al-Jouf, the Northern Border province and the southern region, and consultancy work for the school of tourism education project. Other contracts involve surveys to acquire information and data on tourist facilities and accommodation in the kingdom, as well as the status of hotel investment and related opportunities.