Hayya Jeddah Shopping Festival being launched at the Red Sea Mall in Jeddah Wednesday. (Right) A Saudi man performs during the inauguration ceremony. — SPA photo Okaz/Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – The Hayya Jeddah Shopping Festival was officially launched at the Red Sea Mall on Wednesday. The festival will run for 30 days and offer over 50 different activities inside big malls, with another 1,000 programs and contests being held by other participants. Economics experts and businessmen say it will boost Jeddah's economy and tourism investment and improve the status of Saudi products in the market. The Chairman of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), Sheikh Saleh Kamel, expressed his happiness at the festival's organization and arrangements. “JCCI will make Jeddah, over the next few years, one of the best industrial cities. We're evaluating activities and festivals that meet the needs of the public.” He said the festival will be followed by more economy-boosting events such as the Jeddah Economic Forum, Jeddah Commercial Forum and Jeddah Ghair Forum. Head of Jeddah Shopping Center, Luai Nazir, said: “The festival will play an important role in boosting the business sector because Jeddah has different tourist places where visitors can go and shop during the spring break.” The chairman of the executive committee of the festival Muhammad Abdul Qadir Hafiz said: “This festival seeks to achieve positive economic and social results that serve citizens, tourists, and Umrah pilgrims. It will attract Saudi and Gulf families and provide them with many entertaining activities.” Jeddah is famous for the amenities on offer for tourists and families. It boasts over 192 hotels with 11,004 rooms and 670 buildings with 13,561 residential units. There are also 76 tourist facilities, 14 entertainment cities, 205 malls, 15 museums, 90 sports facilities and 480 restaurants. __
