The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) will launch a number of summer tourism events in Abha on May 14.

The events are being organized under the aegis of Prince Faisal bin Khaled, governor of Asir region and chairman of the Tourist Development Council of Asir.

“The launching ceremony will be attended by Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of SCTA," a top official of the commission said Saturday.

Commenting on the special summer program, Hamad bin Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh, vice president of SCTA for marketing and programs, said the launch of the summer tourism festivals will highlight the efforts exerted by tourism development councils throughout the Kingdom to provide entertaining programs to citizens, prompting them to accept domestic tourism as a viable alternative as well as stepping up levels of planning and preparation for the summer season among the relevant authorities.

“Summer programs and festivals are important tourism events that are greatly anticipated by domestic tourists,” Al-Sheikh said.

He said the average duration of each event will be under a month.

This year will witness more than 45 festivals including entertainment, cultural, social, heritage and sport programs aimed at highlighting the Kingdom’s rich and diverse tourism patterns that will meet the aspirations of different sections of society.

“These programs are expected to create about 5,000 onsite jobs for Saudis,” Al-Sheikh said.

He added: “The launching ceremony of the summer events is designed to highlight the tourism events and festivals and their role in attracting tourism and income generation, their contribution to the exchange of information and experiences between event

operators in addition to creating communication channels between the media and event operator, and promoting citizens and residents to visit tourist destinations.

"The ceremony also highlights and markets Saudi tourism destinations, promotes the principles of partnership between SCTA and event organizers and operators, boosting domestic tourism, which has been in steady progress during the past few years, especially in developing infrastructure, regulations and attracting investments.”

An exhibition is scheduled on the sidelines of the launching ceremony that will include the pavilions of national tour companies and tourism development councils, during which promotion materials of tourism festivals, events and programs will be distributed to the public, in addition to featuring various tourism events representing different parts of the Kingdom.

Blessed with spectacular mountains, scenic beauty, a cool climate, fertile soil and moderate rainfall, Abha is a popular holiday destination in the Kingdom. It is also known as the bride of the south and the administrative center of Asir province.