A huge number of citizens and expatriates flocked to various tourist destinations across the Kingdom during the just concluded Eid Al-Adha holiday.

The festival of sacrifice was celebrated across the country with religious fervor and gaiety. A number of provinces in the Kingdom hosted over a dozen tourism events and activities targeting all segments of society featuring tourism, heritage, historical and cultural aspects.

Actively participating in the celebration with zeal and zest, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) in collaboration with its partners across the provinces organized a number of festivals and events during the week-long holiday.

Commenting on the huge turnout, an SCTA official on Sunday said: “SCTA through its programs works for promoting domestic tourism in the Kingdom utilizing such holidays through various tourism events and media programs to motivate Saudi citizens and residents to visit the various tourist destinations across the Kingdom.”

SCTA also seeks to invest in such holidays to encourage both Saudis and the expatriates to take trips to the various tourist sites in the Kingdom and enjoy tourism events in those parts as well as enjoy the mild weather and the potentials of natural and historical monuments and local heritage, the official underlined.

Giving the details of the programs organized across the Kingdom, the official said that the colorful events in Riyadh include the “Khair Al-Kharj” festival at Al-Burj Park in Al-Kharj and “Eid Smiles” in the municipal yard of Al-Safwa neighborhood.

In the Eastern Province, Eid Al-Adha events were held at Dammam and Alkhobar waterfronts, in addition to Dammam Housing Park, Sports hall of Al-Raka Al-Khadra and Al-Dolakha 10th festival at Snaps Corniche in Al-Qatif, he said.

Najran province also hosted a number of heritage events on the auspicious occasion with the programs being held at the King Fahad Park.

Tabuk province hosted the Amlaj maritime festival at the Fishers Anchor and Old Amlaj, the official said.

He added that Qaseem province held two events that include Al-Ausajiya rural festival at Al-Ausajiya village in Onaiza and the productive families festival for shopping and entertainment in the Northern Boards at Al-Nakheel center for conventions and exhibitions in Rafha, whereas Hail province hosted the dates and grape festival at Al-Maqwah entertainment park in addition to the agricultural and tourist festival at Al-Khitah in Hail.

Madinah province also hosted a number of family events at the Yanbu Waterfront, while Jazan hosted folk and popular art events at Al-Sewaiq in Yanbu Al-Kakhal, in addition to the Jazan festival for shopping and entertainment at the heritage village on the Southern Corniche.

The official further said that the Saudi Tourism website (www.sauditourism.com.sa) provides detailed information about the important event which took place in different parts of the Kingdom during the holidays.