The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) has sponsored this year’s Historic Jeddah Festival with SR3 million.

Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the SCTA, and Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Majid, who is also head of the festival’s organizing committee, signed the agreement recently, on the sidelines of the annual SCTA meeting at Riyadh Cultural Palace.

The SCTA sponsored last year’s event with SR2 million, and assisted in organizational, media and marketing efforts. Prince Sultan said the festival is an important event for the city. He praised Prince Mishaal and other officials for making the event a success.

Prince Sultan said the SCTA wants to continue supporting efforts of the Jeddah mayor and Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This year would see the participation of owners of several historic buildings in the city, who have begun restoring their properties for the festival, he said.

“Historical Jeddah will hold big and important events befitting its prestigious status as a city on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites,” said Prince Sultan.

Jeddah Mayor Hani Abu Ras thanked Prince Sultan for his support of the festival, which he said would boost tourism in the city. He also thanked the governor for helping to organize the event.

Prince Mishaal said the festival is a window on the rich past of the city, the only surviving settlement from ancient times on the Red Sea. “This has motivated us to preserve and maintain its urban heritage,” he said.

Abu Ras said that the festival was a great success last year judging by the huge turnout of local and international visitors. “This year’s festival will see more than 70 activities, in addition to the new neighborhoods and buildings,” he said. There are likely to be many visitors because it is being held during the midterm school vacation, he said.