JEDDAH, 21 May — Tourism authorities in Jeddah expect over 2.5 million visitors to the city during this year’s summer festival. The Jeddah Tourism Committee yesterday formally launched the “Jeddah 22” festival which is set to begin in earnest on June 13.
Jeddah Governor Prince Mishaal ibn Majed, who is also the president of the festival committee, told a press conference after the launching ceremony that the six-week festival, the fourth in a row, would be unique in many ways this year. “The number of events has increased from 73 last year to 109 this year,” said Prince Mishaal.
The governor said a gold festival would be held for the first time as part of the event. “This will be organized jointly by the World Gold Council and the Gold and Jewelry Committee of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry,” he said.
Some 10 additional events are planned to make the festival more lively. Advanced facilities, including e-mail and free telephone lines, will be provided to the media to cover various events.
“Many recreation centers as well as hotels, restaurants and furnished apartments will offer 50 percent discount to the visitors,” said Dr. Majed Al-Qasabi, JCCI secretary-general.
A video footage of “Jeddah 21” was followed by another show highlighting major events organized this year. The festival will include water sports such as fishing contests, beach volleyball, water skiing, scuba diving and much more. Poetic nights, plays, seminars, exhibitions and musical contests will be held.
“Special arrangements will be made for families attending the event. Exclusive programs for women and children are also planned,” Al-Qasabi said.
Galal Fakkar adds: Prince Mishaal expected that the festival would fetch a revenue of about SR2 billion. Last year the festival generated business worth SR1.769 billion, he pointed out. Of this, retail traders grabbed the lion’s share of SR721 million, followed by recreation centers, which made substantial sales.
According to a study conducted by a specialized office in cooperation with the research center at the chamber, foreign tourists spent the largest amount of money on various services during the festival. Most foreign visitors were from the Gulf Cooperation Council states.
The study pointed out that the annual festival would promote domestic tourism, turning the attention of Saudis to tourist destinations within the country.
According to the study, 21 percent of Saudi tourists prefer domestic destinations. It said Saudis allocate 25 percent of their earnings to spend on holidays. The study said 52 percent of the tourists are attracted by shopping centers in Jeddah. Corniche is another major attraction as it lures 48 percent of visitors to the city.
