year school holidays will see the launch of 15 tourist festivals in different regions of the Kingdom, thanks to the support of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), regional tourist development councils and their partners from public and private sectors. The organizing committees for the festivals are fully prepared for the spring break and will hold many tourist activities that are suitable to the nature of the region and that reflect Kingdom's tourist variety. In Riyadh, the 2nd Riyadh Food Festival will be held between Jan. 19 and Feb. 1. The people of Onaziah in Al-Qassim region will enjoy the Al-Ghadha Festival which will be held from Jan. 23-31 with activities for men and women. Rabi Buraidah Festival will be held in Buraidah and offer different environmental and tourist activities. In Al-Ahsa Governorate, a festival titled ‘We Are All Producers' will be held from Feb. 22-29. Festivals in Hafr Al-Batin will focus on environment and tourism and will begin on Jan. 12, while the Desert Festival with its folklore activities in Hail will be held from Jan. 18-26. Al-Jouf residents will enjoy the 5th Olives Festival for 12 days. The event includes several tourist and heritage activities such as an exhibition on productive families and a falcons' festival in the Northern Frontier, which will be held on Jan. 17. The event will feature contests of falcons as well as modified cars. Abdullah Bin Salman Al-Juhani, SCTA Vice President, said that Prince Sultan Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, SCTA President, is dedicating his full time and efforts to these activities. “These festivals will provide various activities targeting all sectors of society. We want each region to have its own festival that distinguishes it. The organizing committee wouldn't have reached this high level of organization had it not been for the help and support of the Emirs, chairmen of tourist development committees and pertinent governmental agencies.” The domestic tourist sector has taken great strides in terms of development and growth, thanks to the organizing courses provided by the SCTA to festival organizers and the support of the SCTA, he added. The festivals offer environmental, folklore, cultural, and sports activities. They bring economic benefits to local regions and governorates and attract more tourists, he explained. They also market traditional and agricultural products and handmade crafts. They create job opportunities to a large sector of society, he added. Readers can check the tourist activities at http://event.scta.gov.sa or call toll-free 8007550000. Tourists can choose their destination at www.sauditourism.com.sa.
