20 July 2015
JEDDAH: 'Jeddah Festival 36' is moving toward competing globally with its entertaining and interesting activities.

Launched by Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Majed on Saturday at Jeddah Center for Forums and Exhibitions, the event will continue for 30 days, local media reported.

The festival, being held under the slogan "we made it longer", targets the families. The activities vary from modernization, innovation and comprehension to culture, entertainment and social.

Jeddah is the first tourist destination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with an estimated number of five million tourists a year who visit for entertainment or spend holidays. Large numbers of Haj and Umrah pilgrim also shop in the city, which is the gateway to Makkah and Madinah.

The Jeddah governor said: "Festivals and celebrations in Jeddah have become an important asset to various economies and became an integral part of the development of strategic plans to improve its image."

He said Jeddah festival also offers activities to help people with various investment offers in addition to its role in informing visitors about the history, culture and civilization of the city.

Saleh Kamel, chairman of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was quoted as saying that the success achieved by the Jeddah festival is clear evidence about the Kingdom's assets and infrastructure.

© Arab News 2015