Attractive array of events planned across the KingdomJEDDAH – With the onset of summer vacation in the Kingdom, several regions are getting ready to host summer festivals with the usual fanfare and an attractive array of events. Many Saudi families have already boarded planes for their destinations abroad and those who have chosen to enjoy domestic tourism have shown their eagerness to visit the many exotic tourism spots in the Kingdom. Travel sources said this year there has been a sharp increase in the number of tourists going abroad as several Saudi families shelved the idea of global-trotting last year owing to the economic downturn. Domestic tourism in Saudi Arabia is expected to record phenomenal growth. According to a recent report by the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA), total income from domestic tourism is seen to reach SR73.3 billion in 2010 and SR101.3 billion in 2020. According to a study conducted by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, domestic tourism in the Kingdom saw tremendous growth last year largely due to the summer festivals organized by SCTA in different parts of the Kingdom. As summer vacations begin in the Kingdom, tourist promotion committees set up across the Kingdom organize cultural and other recreational programs. This has a great effect on increasing the number of Saudis embarking on domestic tourism. Saudi Gazette contacted the SCTA and presents below a preview of the activities planned for the summer holidays. JEDDAH: The summer festival in the Bride of the Red Sea will start on July 7 and will continue till Aug. 11. The festival will kick off at Obhur with fireworks displays and elaborate celebrations. The festival's events will be divided into three categories – sports, cultural and entertainment. These programs will be held in different malls and other easily-accessible locations including the premises of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI). As part of the festival, a 10-day Saudi publishers fair will be held under the supervision of the JCCI. A three-day conference of the World Muslim League begins on July 31 in Makkah under the patronage of King Abdullah. A fair of national consumer products will be heldat Jeddah International Exhibition Center from July 31 to Aug. 8 under the sponsorship of JCCI, and a Ramadan nights fair will be held from Aug. 21 to Sept. 6 at the same venue. TAIF: The festival here will begin on July 7 and continue till Aug. 17 at King Fahd Sports City. The festival will include a number of exciting religious, cultural, social, sports and entertainment events taking into account the needs and desires of visitors of various age groups, with emphasis on programs for children, youth and families. Starting July 13, the youth welfare organization will organize three camps for young people. These camps will run till July 22. The main aim is to provide a great time for youth during the summer vacation and develop their talent and ability in all fields of life, including sports, civilization and culture. Al-BAHA: The Al-Baha summer festival will start on July 7 and will continue till Aug. 9. An eight-day honey festival, organized by the Beekeepers Cooperative Society, starts July 25 at Baljuraishi Municipal Center in Al-Baha. Exhibitions of photography, culture and arts and a special theater for children are planned for the festival. ASIR: The Asir Tourism Council will organize the local festival from July 7 to Aug. 5 A ten-day youth campus started on July 1 under the supervision of the General Presidency for Youth Welfarewith the aim of providing quality time to youth in social, cultural and sports activities. A 12-day Gulf Olympics will start on July 28 in Abha at the Prince Sultan sports center under the supervision of Ittihad Saudi football authorities with football teams from other Gulf countries participating in the competition. Visiting teams will come from UAE, Qatar, Oman and Bahrain. A three-day international paragliding competition will be held from July 13 at the Al-Souda national park. RIYADH: The annual Riyadh shopping festival will be held from July 7 to Aug. 7 organized by the Riyadh festival committee and the tourism committee ofthe Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI). The opening ceremony will be held at Al-Faisalia Tower. The shopping festival features discounts by commercial and recreational centers especially for families. The King Abdul Aziz Historical Center will organize an educational program on July 4, and a program on the personality of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) will be held at the King Abdul Aziz Public Library on July 18. A seven-day Arab Squash tournament (individual and teams) will start on July 24 with the participation of teams from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Sudan, Iraq, Morocco and Palestine. DAMMAM: The four-day 4th annual car show will be held from July 6 under the patronage ofPrince Muhammad Bin Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz, Emir of the Eastern Province, at the Dhahran International Exhibition Center. On July 6-7, a medical symposium will be organized by the Directorate General of Medical Services in the Ministry of the Interior under the slogan “Hospitals toward better operational style.” The Eastern Province summer festival will run from July 14 to Aug. 25, with the opening being held at Dammam beach, and the Dammam shopping festival will be held from Aug. 21 to Sept. 4 at Ibn Khaldoum Plaza. AL-KHOBAR: The first air show and exhibition will be held from July 5 to July 9 under the aegis of the Prince Sultan Center for Science and Technology. The summer festival featuring cultural, traditional and entertainment events will run from July 5 to July 26. MADINA: The 31st Taiba summer festival will be held from July 7 to July 27. Families can enjoy a number of events and competitions, view exhibitions of Saudi handicrafts and watch entertainment programs. QASSIM: A dates festival will be held from Aug. 11 to Aug. 30 at the vegetable market in Buriadah in Al-Qassim. The Buriadah summer festival which started on June 30 will continue till July 23. The Aunizhah tourism festival will be held from July 7 to Aug. 6with a number of entertainment activities, cultural and social programs, and fun for everyone at the Arab Club, Star Club, King Fahd Civilization Center, Hamdan Museum, Mutazat Al-Hijab, Bait Al-Basma, and Masoukaf Market in Onaizah valley at Qassim. For more information about festivals and other activities during the summer vacation, you can call 8007550000 toll free and talk to the call center of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities. The information is available in Arabic and English.
