ABHA, 17 August — There was a 15 percent increase in the number of tourists and vacationers who visited Asir resorts this summer compared to last year, according to Prince Bandar ibn Khaled Al-Faisal, deputy chairman of the Tourism Promotion Committee.
He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the two-month-long Abha Tourism Festival on Thursday evening. The function was attended by Asir Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, chairman of the committee, and high-ranking officials.
Asir resorts in southwestern parts of the Kingdom attract nearly two million tourists from within and outside the country every year, especially during summer. Located 670 kms south of Jeddah and at 2,200 meters above sea level, Abha is one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the Kingdom. Abha is known for its rain forests and salubrious climate.
Prince Khaled said prices of various tourist services in the Asir region were very low compared to those in the tourist resorts in other Arab countries.
The Abha festival featured a variety of attractive programs including art and book shows, a football tournament, shopping festival, musical concerts, laser shows, fireworks and poetic evenings.
A military exhibition, which was opened by Prince Abdullah, the regent, was one of the major events. It was held at King Khaled Airbase in Khamis Mushayt.
"Such exhibitions are held to attract Saudi and foreign tourists to the region and highlight the role of the armed forces in defending the country and its people," Maj. Gen. Zaal Suleiman Al-Balawi, commander of the Southern Province, said.
The exhibition included air shows by the planes of the land, air and naval forces, parachute jumping and a permanent show by the defense and security departments.
Prince Khaled distributed the Muftaha Prizes for Pioneers. Prince Abdul Rahman ibn Saud, chairman of Al-Nasr Club in Riyadh, the Command of the Southern Region, and Mishaal ibn Muhammad Al-Sudairy, a noted Saudi writer and critic, won prizes. Other winners were: Abdullah Noor, a well-known historian and journalist, Saudi Telecom Company, Dr. Ali Saad Mousa, writer at Al-Watan newspaper, Kamaan Zunaifer Al-Kamaan, photographer at Prince Bandar’s office, and artist Abdullah Shahir Aseery.
The governor also announced Muftaha prizes for the best participants in the festival. Abha Municipality won the prize for best participation in the tourism caravan.
Prince Khaled also presented souvenirs to companies and organizations which supported the tourism festival.
