ABHA — Cultural festivals have attracted Omani and Emirati street sellers to Asir for decades. With sweets and perfumes proving to be a big hit among Saudis, the street vendors say the festivals provide them with a major source of income and encourage cross-border trade, Al-Sharq daily reports.
Salem Al-Qarini, an Omani street seller, said he prepares for the annual cultural festival in Al-Soudah months in advance.
“I have all of my goods ready at least two months before the festival begins. I have been attending Asir festivals for years and I sell homemade Omani sweets for SR30 to SR60 a kilo. I also sell coconut juice for SR10 and incense as well,” said Al-Qarini.
He said people are usually captivated and intrigued by the traditional Omani attire he wears.
Saeed Bin Salem, another Omani street seller, said he came to the festival with nine cars full of merchandise.
“Each car contained between 1,500 and 2,000 packs of Omani sweets and coconuts weighing 400 kg. Our products are a hot commodity in these festivals. I would be up on my feet from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.,” said Bin Salem.
Amjad, also a Omani street seller, said Omani street sellers make up to SR90,000 a season.
“Asir is a tourism hotspot. We get to sell our products to locals and foreign visitors all in one place. We make more at these festival than we make a year of selling in Oman. These festivals bring the two countries together and improve the economy of both countries,” said Amjad.
Abha Cultural Festival Supervisor Ahmad Al-Jabri said the United Arab Emirates also has a major cultural presence in local festivals.
“Emirati sellers bring their national perfume and sell it to our visitors.
This year, we are holding the 17th annual festival and Emirati perfume has been a popular product since it was first sold in the festival four years ago,” said Al-Jabri.
He added the festival is not only an attraction for locals but visitors from neighboring Arab countries. “Emirati perfumes and oud are available at affordable prices. They are unique and rare and that is why they are so popular in the festival,” said Al-Jabri.
Al-Jabri said Abha Cultural Festival has a packed program for families.
“When the sun sets, everyone gathers around Abha Lake to watch a fireworks show and water fountains. The festival also has an acrobatic segment performed by a Chinese group of acrobats. There is also a gallery of national and environmental photos spread on the Abha Dam for 300 meters,” said Al-Jabri.
Siyahiyah National Tourism Company Executive Saleh Qadah said the festival lasts for 40 days.
“The lake by the dam has a capacity to accommodate 2,000 visitors at a time and the festival is visited by thousands a day. Asir Emir Prince Faisal Bin Khalid values tourism in Asir and knows that it is one of the area's most active industries,” said Qadah.
