RIJAAL ALMA': The Honey Festival here has become a major attraction for honey merchants and tourists in Asir and the Kingdom at large, according to Muhammad Al-Mathami, Governor of Rijaal Alma'. Inaugurating the third Honey Festival on Thursday, he said the success of the event can be attributed to Prince Faisal Bin Khaled Bin Abdul Aziz, Emir of Asir, the efforts of the Saudi Commission of Tourism and Antiquities represented by the General Administration of Tourism Development, and the Ministry of Agriculture. There should also be praise for the organizers, the region's citizens and bee breeders, added Al-Mathami. He said the exhibition includes halls for showcasing honey products and beehives, and a special area for activities associated with the exhibition. This includes entertainment activities such as contests and religious programs supervised by the Endowment Administration in the governorate. One of the distinguished programs is Alma' Heritage Nights. The region's tribes organize these nights to display the region's folklore and traditional dances. Ibrahim Mesfir Al-Almai, the festival's supervisor, described the honey festival as one of the most successful festivals in the Kingdom because it attracts thousands of tourists who travel all the way to Rijaal Alma'. Most of the visitors are either bee breeders or consumers. The festival offers them a unique opportunity to learn about the differences between pure and adulterated honey. Another objective of the festival is to enable bee breeders to sell their products. Visitors can therefore buy their favorite products from the original breeders. He said more than 100 exhibitors, including bee breeders and bee merchants are participating in the festival. Thousands of merchants from the Kingdom and Gulf states take an active part in the show because it gives them a chance to exhibit their products and attract customers.
