He said this would be the longest festival in the history of the city and would continue for 70 days.
Prince Abdullah, who is also chairman of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (JCCI) Tourism Committee, said the festival on the southern Corniche would feature more than 200 various entertainment programs and tourist and cultural activities.
“This year, special activities to mark Ramadan and Eid will be included as the two occasions coincide with the festival,” the Prince said adding that about 4 million people from Saudi Arabia, Gulf countries and the rest of the world were expected to visit the festival.
The prince expected revenues from the festival to be up by about 50 percent compared to last year and said the economy would benefit, especially tourism.
“The sponsorship of the JCCI, the home of merchants and the representative for businessmen, of the festival will give great impetus to economic activities in Jeddah,” he added.
He said this year's festival would feature great cooperation from various government and private bodies including the Makkah Governorate, Jeddah Governorate, the JCCI, Jeddah municipality and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities.
He said tourism revenue in 2009 was about SR50.2 billion. This figure was expected to rise to SR118 billion in 2015 and SR232 billion in 2020.
