Hotel occupancy rates in the Saudi capital have risen to 90 percent due to the large turn out of visitors for the Janadriyah 29, the ongoing national festival for heritage and culture on the outskirts of Riyadh.

The festival has greatly contributed to the increase in hotel occupancy rates in the accommodation sector, hotels and furnished residential units, recording high profits in the tourism sector.

“Riyadh is witnessing a wide range of cultural and tourism events, which has resulted in an unprecedented turnout of Saudi citizens from different parts of the Kingdom as well as visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries,” read a statement issued by the Saudi Commission for Tourism Antiquities (SCTA).

According to the SCTA report, Janadriyah 29 has attracted more than 150,000 visitors during the initial days and continues to attract more visitors.

Yusuf Siddiqui, who works at one of the furnished residential units in Riyadh, said that occupancy rates in furnished apartments have witnessed a boom beginning mid-last week. He attributed this trend to the remarkable influx of citizens from all parts of the Kingdom to Riyadh to visit the Janadriyah 29 festival.

He, however, added that Riyadh has emerged as a host to a number of cultural and shopping events lately.

Saleh Mohammed, who works in the residential sector also echoed the sentiment, and indicated that the city has become a destination for visitors throughout the year, due to the presence of many events and diverse occasions including cultural and social events designed to suit children, youth and families.

He pointed out that the occupancy rate at the facility he works at has reached more than 90 percent this season especially due to Janadriyah fest.

He attributed this to the stabilized prices of housing units in a large number of hotels and residential units.

Meanwhile, Salim Al-Masoud, who works in a furnished apartment, said, “I have noticed unprecedented tourism activity recently in the capital and this is because of the Janadriyah festival, which is one of the most important events in the Kingdom.”