JEDDAH, 9 July 2007 — The tourism festival in the summer resort of Taif began on Saturday with a variety of cultural, religious, sports and recreational programs. Makkah Governor Prince Khaled Al-Faisal opened the month-long festivities.
The opening ceremony at King Faisal Park included an operetta, a musical presentation with folklore dances, and fireworks. The festival, titled “Taif: The Most Beautiful,” is likely to attract more than two million tourists and holidaymakers from with the Kingdom and abroad.
Speaking to reporters after opening the festival, Prince Khaled emphasized Taif’s important place in the Kingdom’s tourism map. “I appreciate your exchange of love and respect for one another. Together we can work to realize the hopes and aspirations of every citizen in this city and Makkah region,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted the governor as saying.
In his welcome speech, Dr. Muhammad Qari Al-Sayyed, executive director of tourism in Taif, commended Prince Khaled’s efforts to promote clean tourism in various parts of the Kingdom, especially in the Asir region (where he was governor until this year). He also noted the government’s generous support to the tourism industry.
“Taif has been nominated for year-round tourism,” Al-Sayyed said. The mountain resort is located 5,600 feet above sea level in the southwest region of Saudi Arabia. Its pleasant climate, lush parks, sunny skies and exotic wildlife have long drawn Saudi families to the city.
The government has spent billions of riyals to establish tourist facilities in Taif. Its largest and most famous public garden is the King Fahd Park, which includes a lake, playgrounds and walking paths. The Shubra Palace, the former summer residence of King Abdul Aziz and the most famous historical building in the city, attracts a large number of visitors.
The historic Okaz Souk festival will be held this year for the first time as part of the tourism festival after several years. In the past, Okaz fair occurred during the first 20 days of Dul Qaada, the 11th month of the Hijri year.
Traders brought goods on camels and donkeys to the market. Bedouin crafts such as rugs, camel-hair tents, sheepskins, pottery, tools, jewelry, perfumes, produce and spices were some of the products sold at the souk. There were cultural contests for poets and singers to add color to the festival. According to Saudi archaeologists, the Okaz Souk continued until around 760 AD.
