AL-AHSA: A record number of visitors ­— nationals and expatriates — are expected at the fourth Al-Ahsa shopping and entertainment festival that kicked off here on Thursday.

The festival has been organized by the Al-Ahsa Chamber of Commerce and Industry in cooperation with the local Tourism Development Council.

Al-Ahsa Gov. Prince Badr bin Muhammad bin Jalawi, chairman of the region’s tourism body, opened the event in the presence of Al-Ahsa Mayor Adel Al-Mulhim.

Saleh bin Hassan Al-Afaleq, chairman of the Al-Ahsa chamber, said that shopping and entertainment has been at the center of the growth in the region’s tourism, in terms of numbers and spending.

Al-Afaleq said there are seven licensed hotels in Al-Ahsa and 65 furnished apartment blocks with 1,664 units. In addition, two five-star hotels would be opened. This is to cater for the 50 percent annual growth rate in this sector, he said.

Muhammed Al-Afaleq, chairman of the festival’s executive committee, said there has been “significant growth” in Al-Ahsa recently because of various developments.

An official from the sponsor, Othaim Mall, said that the company considers it a duty to help grow the region’s economy with other private sector and government agencies.

The festival includes the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz photographic exhibition. The Cancer Charity in Al-Ahsa is also participating.