Saudi Gazette report Since the beginning of summer holidays, several Saudi and expatriate families have been having great fun in enjoying the various festivals organized by different provinces to showcase the culture, heritage and history of the Kingdom. Both Saudis and foreigners are taking pleasure in various activities offered in these festivals where they drown their daily worries and stress and have a quality time with their families. For them, it's the season to be jolly and engage in fun and frolic. For over a decade, the Red Sea port city of Jeddah has hosted a festival that begins with splendid and breathtaking fireworks on the Corniche waterfront, and includes a circus, musical performances, and children's theater. It has several cultural programs highlighting the Hejazi traditions and culture through the medium of arts, the humanities, intellectual achievement, literature, music, painting, philosophy and performing arts. Likewise, festivals are organized in Riyadh, Buraidah, Qassim, Tabuk, Asir, Taif, Dammam/Al-Khobar and other important cities of the Kingdom. In the city of Buraidah, 300 km north of Riyadh, the center of town is transformed into a vast marketplace for fresh and dried dates, the tasty delicacy of the Arab world. Sellers and buyers flock to this renowned city to celebrate the tiny, sweet fruit, and on offer are date-related products, including cookies, jams and breads. The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities is in the forefront of organizing these festivals not only to attract domestic tourists but travelers from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and other Arab countries. Prince Sultan Bin Salman, president of the Kingdom's tourism body, has initiated several measures to lure domestic tourists to visit uncharted areas in the Kingdom including the beautiful expanse of undulating dunes, beautiful oases and dramatic mountain-tops, beaches and rivers. During a recent visit to Asir, Prince Sultan said Al-Namas governorate in the province will undergo sweeping development in all sectors, particularly tourism, because it is a promising place capable of attracting thousands of tourists. He was speaking at the inauguration of the Al-Namas Summer Festival (pictured above). More hotels will be built to meet the influx of tourists who flock to the governorate every year to enjoy the beautiful scenery, he said. The SCTA, the Asir emirate, and the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) have recommended to higher authorities building a domestic airport serving Balahmar, Balasmar, Tanoumah, Al-Namas, and Al-Majridah governorates. “These places are very important because they can be great tourist attractions. They're heavily populated as well,” said Prince Sultan. The SCTA is working with several pertinent authorities to promote tourism and introducing citizens to the beautiful and historical destinations in their own country.
