TAIF/ABHA, 11 July — Tourism festivals in the summer resorts of Taif and Abha will be officially inaugurated today with a variety of entertainments. The opening ceremony in Taif will include fireworks, laser shows and skydives. Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed will declare the Taif tourism festival formally open at a colorful ceremony.
Asir Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal will inaugurate a cultural parade in Abha to mark the opening of the tourism festival. Dr. Hamad Al-Shaghroud, head of the tourism caravan committee, said more than 26 government departments would take part in the parade.
The Taif festival, with more than 100 programs, will continue until Aug. 20, organizers said. Artist Abdullah Rashad will present an operetta with the accompaniment of folklore dances by Taif troupes. Organizers said they have completed preparations for the largest fireworks to be staged in Khalediya tomorrow evening.
Helicopters of the Civil Defense Department will distribute flowers among visitors to resorts and recreation centers in Taif. Muhammad Qari Al-Sayyed, secretary-general of the Taif tourism promotion committee, said tourist flow to the summer resort from within and outside had started.
Prince Abdul Majeed yesterday inspected the rail car project in Taif’s Hada resort. The project, linking Hada with the historical Shedad village, is the fifth largest in the world and is estimated to cost SR40 million. It will have 52 carriages and a carriage for VIPs.
Abha festival programs include a book exhibition, religious camps for men and women, a poetry contest, a military exhibition, an air show, sky-dive and a mountain climbing competition. Other major programs are a heritage show, a laser show by an international company, an international consumer goods exhibition and a soccer friendly with the participation of several international teams.
As the summer vacation started, tourist inflow to Abha has increased. Cars and jeeps loaded with people and baggage can be seen moving toward various resorts in the Asir region. Hundreds of cars loaded on trucks are reaching the town while their owners are coming in by plane.
By mid-July activities of Abha festival will climax. People coming to Asir will not only enjoy the invigorating cool weather of the hilly resorts but also its scenic beauty and the hospitality of its people.
