TAIF, 12 September 2006 — The scenic spots in Taif and Hada attracted more than 2.5 million visitors from within the Kingdom and abroad. They spent about SR2.5 billion this summer, according to a member of the Taif’s Tourism Promotion Council and the National Committee for Haj, Umrah and Tourism.
Khalil Abdul Rahman Bahader attributed the sharp rise in the inflow of tourists to the region to various tourism-promotion strategies implemented by the authorities.
Bahader, owner of the Hada Grand Bahader Hotel in Taif, said his hotel had signed a deal with the Kara-Hada Telefrek (Cable Car) company, a subsidiary of the Taif Investment Co., to develop new projects to attract more tourists to the region round the year.
“The cooperation between the two tourist giants will provide visitors with more options of global standards,” said Bahader. “The agreement also provides for offering the hotel’s privileged service to telefrek users.”
The hotel will provide free transportation for those who want to use the cable car.
Bahader said the governor of Taif, Fahd ibn Muammar, deserved special mention in making a tourism-friendly environment in the region.
Bahader said the Grand Hotel served 70 percent of the tourists who visited Hada this summer. About 80 percent of them were Saudis and the remaining Umrah pilgrims and tourists from the Gulf countries.
The tourist projects in Hada offered various packages, which included theatrical shows, festivals, competitions and distribution of instant prizes and awards all through the summer. The offer will continue over coming months particularly on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
