JEDDAH, 7 July 2007 — The Red Sea coastal township of Al-Rais, about 180 kilometers southwest of Madinah, will be developed into a major tourist resort, according to Prince Sultan ibn Salman, secretary-general of the Supreme Commission for Tourism.
Speaking to reporters after attending the opening of the Madinah Tourism Festival on Thursday night, Sultan said the launch of three major resort projects including Al-Rais would take place this year.
He hoped that the process for qualifying companies to develop Al-Rais could be completed within two months. “We have already started the qualification process for Al-Oqair project in Jeddah,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted him as saying.
He said the Obhur Tourist Festival would be launched during Eid Al-Fitr holidays this year, adding that Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal has approved the festival, which will be held annually.
Madinah Gov. Prince Abdul Aziz ibn Majed launched the 35-day festival named Taiba 28 during a function at Al-Nakheel Park. More than 80 cultural, heritage, sports and other recreational programs have been organized for the festival.
Yousuf Al-Muzaini, chairman of the organizing committee, said the festivities would be held in five locations: King Fahd Park, Al-Nakheel Park, Hejaz Railway Station, Al-Hassan Mall, and Aliyat Al-Madinah.
