Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal is scheduled to open the festivities during a colorful ceremony at King Fahd Sports City in Hawiya. Organizers said they have prepared well in advance to make the annual event a resounding success.

The mountain city of Taif, located 5,600 feet above sea level, is known for its salubrious climate and enchanting natural beauty. It draws more than two million tourists and holidaymakers every year.

Speaking on the occasion, Taif Gov. Fahd bin Abdul Aziz Muammar, who is also chairman of the Tourism Development Council, commended Prince Khaled’s support to boost Taif tourism.

“The Kingdom’s tourism industry has made qualitative developments in recent years as a result of the partnership between the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) and local tourism councils,” he pointed out.

Muhammad Qari Al-Sayyed, executive director of the tourism department in Taif, said a variety of enchanting programs have been organized to enthrall individuals and families visiting the city during this summer.

“We have set up a number of tourist centers, manned by well-trained Saudis, in order to provide necessary guidance to tourists. They will also distribute booklets and maps of Taif containing information about parks, recreational centers, hotels, restaurants, furnished apartments and other services,” he said.

Muhammad Al-Thubaity, chairman of the media committee, said all preparations have been completed for the festival in coordination with relevant government departments and private agencies.

“The festival will include cultural, social, sports, folklore and recreational programs,” Al-Thubaity said.

“There are special programs for children, youth and families that will be organized throughout the festival that will last for 42 days.”

Taif is one of the Kingdom’s most popular tourist resorts throughout the year. The region is rich in archaeological sites that date back to the pre-Islamic era. Pictures and writings found on a lot of monuments indicate their date and history.

The most famous of these historical sites is Souk (market) Okaz, which played a distinguished role in the history of Arab poetry before Islam.

Shubra Palace is a beautifully restored traditional house, which doubles as the city’s museum. It was originally built around the turn of the century, and has been used as a residence by a number of Saudi kings. It was the summer residence of King Abdul Aziz.