Faisal, Emir of Makkah Region, will officially announce Thursday the beginning of the Jeddah Summer Festival (Jeddah Ghair) which is expected to attract over 3-4 million visitors. The 37-day festival, which is hosting over 250 activities such as folk and heritage markets, gatherings with local figures, theater, folk group performances, and photography and art exhibitions, hopes to stimulate domestic tourism and provide visitors with a family atmosphere. Numbers are expected to increase this year following efforts to boost tourism by several bodies such as the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, Jeddah Mayoralty and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Ghazi Bin Jameel Al-Sulaimani, Assistant Mayor for Strategic Marketing and Media in Jeddah, said the mayoralty had given over some SR8 million to the event, with activities free for the public. The three main festival sites, Al-Sulaimani said, are Obhur, King Abdul Aziz Cultural Center, and the Historical Area around Al-Balad. Sami Nawwar, Director General of Tourism at the mayoralty, drew attention from among the various activities, to the Challenge Racetrack. “There will be a four and two-wheel motorcycle race, a car race, a four-wheel drive car race, wall-climbing competitions and souped-up cars and roller skating shows,” Nawwar said. “There are also folk cafés, traditional food restaurants and beach games.” The festival's family areas will host open theater, a classic car museum, craft markets, restaurants, a zoo, and a children's playground, amusement center and a video games hall, Nawwar said, not failing to mention the Indian circus, the “Photos from My Country” exhibition and the Abdul Raouf Khaleel Museum. Nawwar added that the King Abdul Aziz Cultural Center in Abrag Al-Raghamah would be hosting the Jeddah Film Festival from July 18 to 22, along with art and photography competitions, art exhibitions, with handicapped and disabled societies and other charities playing a prominent role.
