SAUDI ARABIA-JEDDAH FESTIVAL Jeddah festival expects to attract 3 million visitors

Record ID: 145258

  • Title: SAUDI ARABIA-JEDDAH FESTIVAL Jeddah festival expects to attract 3 million visitors
  • Date: 3rd August 2015
  • Summary: ACTORS LEAVING STAGE AT END OF SHOW
  • Embargoed: 18th August 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Saudi Arabia
  • Country: Saudi Arabia
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA5JH6GFDJUO0JYIO32FFQRB18Y
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The 36th edition of the Jeddah Festival is underway in Saudi Arabia, attracting local and foreign visitors to a wide range of entertainment and cultural activities.
    Held at Jeddah Centre for Forums and Exhibitions, the 30-day festival, which kicked off on July 18, expects to hit a turnover of more than three million U.S dollars, boosting the tourism industry at a time when parts of the region are embroiled in conflict.
    "The expected economic return for the 36th edition of Jeddah festival is nearly 15 billion Saudi riyals, we also expect to attract about 3 million visitors between the period of Eid al-Fitr and the end of the festival," said Yahya al-Munasari, a representative from the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce
    Jeddah, the kingdom's second largest city, is considered to be the first tourist destination in the oil rich state, attracting millions of visitors to the Red Sea city.
    Running under the slogan 'we made it longer' due to more days added to this year's festival calendar, the event was launched this year by Jeddah Governor Prince Mishaal bin Majed, with a focus on engaging more families in the activities it has to offer.
    Hundreds of children as well as adults were entertained by a range of dance shows, theatre plays and other activities on Sunday (August 2).
    Among those visiting the festival was Adel Mohammed.
    "The return of activities to the city of Jeddah made visitor from inside and outside the Kingdom come to watch the events, and this boosts tourism in the Kingdom," said Mohammed, resident of Jeddah.
    Over 700 government and tourism associations are participating in this year's event which concludes on August 17.
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