Festivals in Saudi Arabia this summer are expected to generate SR13 billion, a two percent increase over last year, according to Abdullah Al-Jihani, Deputy Chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA). Al-Jihani said there will be eight million tourist visits to festivals around the country, at a rate of seven nights in every city. There are 19 festivals and hundreds of activities being organized in the Kingdom, he said. The summer festivals will continue for three months. At a press conference held by the SCTA on Saturday to launch the summer festivals, Al-Jihani said the commission will soon announce the distinctive travel and tourism program. Al-Jihani said the festivals have been organized by private sector companies. He said the motto of the festivals this year is “Think about Saudi Arabia”. He added that there are new activities in some regions to stimulate domestic tourism. Al-Jihani said the commission is monitoring all the activities and services to ensure quality tourist facilities. He added that the reason for price hikes is the lack of planning by tourists. He stressed that there should be integration with the other sectors because tourism is everybody's responsibility. Al-Jihani pointed out that the commission supports the festivals financially, morally and in terms of organization. Throughout the past five years the commission organized 200 activities. There was a return of over SR2 billion and 15,000 Saudi nationals were employed. Meanwhile, a wide range of activities are being planned this year for the 31st Jeddah Summer Festival, which will open on July 7 with a ceremony of fireworks, traditional dances and patriotic songs. The five-week festival, which will end on Aug. 11, is expected to boost domestic tourism, according to the SCTA. A total of 3.4 million people visited Jeddah during the summer of 2009, adding an estimated SR11.9 billion to the local economy, a three percent increase over 2008. Festival events, under the supervision of the SCTA and the Tourism Council, Jeddah, will be divided into three categories – sports, culture and entertainment, according to Ghasaan Al-Bakri, director general of SCTA programs and tourism. These programs will be held in different malls and other accessible locations in the city. “The Jeddah Summer Festival is the most popular and the largest summer festival in the Kingdom with an array of cultural, social and sports activities,” Al-Bakri said. “This year there will be 60 activities at different sites in Jeddah which will contribute to the development of tourism, an important source of income for the Kingdom which also creates job opportunities for Saudi youth.” He also said that Jeddah as the gateway to the Two Holy Mosques is a major city, and the summer festival plays an important role in acquainting visitors from overseas with Saudi culture. It also provides those from around the Kingdom with the opportunity to spend their summer vacation, Ramadan and Eid in comfortable surroundings with a wide range of facilities and activities to choose from. This year the festival will have a number of activities. After the grand opening, there will be folk dance and cultural programs and competitions with prizes and gifts being given to the public. Displays of fireworks will be held at different locations in the city especially on the south and north beaches. A gold festival will be held exhibiting the latest designs of gold jewelry and visitors will have a chance to win gold coins. Concerts will be held during the festival featuring performances by well-known Arab singers. There will also be social and cultural plays for children and adults with the participation of actors from Arab countries, and a circus will provide entertainment for all of the family. Special programs will be arranged for children, orphans and people with special needs.
