Speaking to reporters after launching a huge 77,000-cubic-meter hot air balloon carrying pictures of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah, Prince Miteb said the Supreme Organizing Committee of the National Heritage and Culture Festival has already discussed the topic.

He, however, said the matter required further studies by the committee and specialized companies in order to open Janadriya to visitors during the holidays. He suggested that commercial companies could manage the village to boost domestic tourism. At present it is open only for the two-week-long festival.

Prince Miteb said the balloon was launched to mark the 25th Janadriya festival, which was opened by King Abdullah on March 17, as well as to highlight the king’s humanitarian message and his call for interfaith dialogue to promote world peace. “This balloon was donated by the United Arab Emirates to King Abdullah.”

He said the next Janadriya festival will be open to all countries to participate, adding that the participation of non-Arab countries would help Saudis know the culture and traditions of people in those countries. He, however, pointed out that Janadriya’s next editions would witness folklore displays from Arab countries.

Speaking about the balloon, which has been launched for the first time as part of the festival, he said it would visit several countries such as Poland, Italy, France and South Africa. The balloon — 50-meter long and 35-meter wide — will fly at an altitude of more than 10,000 feet and will be commanded by Abdul Aziz Al-Mansouri and five copilots. The green balloon will fly over 58 countries during a yearlong journey.