JEDDAH, 10 July 2007 — The upcoming 28th round of the annual Jeddah Summer Festival is, according to its organizers, expected to attract more than 3 million tourists and generate an income of more than SR2 billion.
The festival, which is planned to kick off on July 12, includes 200 different events and activities for all strata of society, especially children and women, said Saleh Al-Turki, chairman of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI).
Al-Turki said that in order to ensure a promising attendance, preparations for the festival started early this year. “We have taken all the positive experiences from previous festivals and improved on negative aspects to ensure this year’s event becomes the talk of the town,” he said.
This year’s festival is said to be more diverse and includes more cultural, entertainment and sports activities for women. He added that more information about this year’s festival’s activities would be revealed in a press conference scheduled to take place today at the JCCI.
He mentioned that the private sector has invested over SR12 billion in the last few years into Jeddah’s tourism sector.
Ibrahim Badr, head of tourism at the JCCI, said that the festival has received the full attention of Makkah Gov. Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, who has facilitated preparations for the event.
Famous male singers are also scheduled to perform at the festival, in addition to other new activities such as diving trips and desert expeditions, said Badr. He added that there is a need to develop domestic tourism by providing activities and events that could boost local tourism.
Badr said that shopping centers are offering their own activities in addition to massive sales and discounts that would also help in attracting visitors to the Bride of the Red Sea.
