RIYADH: This holiday is likely to see domestic tourism spending in the Kingdom hit SR20.6 billion, a whopping 53.7 percent rise compared to last year, largely because of the longer vacation of 117 days and unrest in other parts of the Arab world.

It is expected that 17.8 million people will hit the road to various destinations inside the country, a 44.7 percent increase compared to last year, according to the Tourism Information and Research Center (MAS), the statistical arm of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH).

This year there will be about 70 tourism festivals and 620 other activities across the Kingdom, a 30 percent increase compared to last year including culture, heritage, sports, adventure and shopping festivals. The summer events are expected to create over 7,000 temporary jobs for young Saudis, said MAS.

The body also reported that Saudis heading overseas would increase by 36.9 percent to 8.8 million people and would likely spend SR36.2 billion, a rise of 37.1 percent.

Hamad Al-Sheikh, vice president of the SCTNH’s marketing and programs department, said there would be better and more events this year, especially for women, children and young people.

There would be 100 programs designed for the “Live Saudi Arabia” trips to various parts of the country including heritage sites, museums, and cultural landmarks, he said.