21 July 2015
JEDDAH: Jeddah should be able to enter the Guinness Book of World Records as "The City of Festivals" in 2016 because it has been successfully holding a record number of events, festivals and exhibitions at the national and international levels, say officials.

It is a known fact that five million tourists visit the city every year for entertainment, shopping or to spend holidays. A large number of Haj and Umrah pilgrims also shop in the city, which is the gateway to Makkah and Madinah.

"The 17 years of experience and expertise, under the patronage of Jeddah Gov. Prince Mishaal bin Majed, who is aso the chairman of the Supreme Committee of Jeddah festival, qualifies the city to vie for the Guinness book," Saleh Kamel, chairman of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), said.

More than one million people have visited Jeddah Festival alone in the past 16 years, he said.

Kamel said the departure of almost four million Saudis during vacations every year turned out to be an eye opener for businessmen and government. The government planned a number of festivals and activities in the city to keep the investment inside the country, he said.

Jeddah has 70 theme parks, 360 commercial centers, 105 popular and old markets, a beach and coastline which play an important role in driving domestic tourism growth.

Adnan Mandoura, secretary general of JCCI, said that the Jeddah Festival is a milestone in the history of festivals in the Kingdom. Besides this, important economic events in the region draw visitors from home and abroad.

"After organizing festivals for about 16 years, Jeddah can have festivals and events throughout the year beginning 2016," he said.

Mandoura said the JCCI also aims to further increase the tourist movement and business in Jeddah, in addition to the development of the city as high economic city.

© Arab News 2015