General Travel News
Saudi festivals expected to bring in high revenue
June 28 - Festivals in Saudi Arabia this summer are expected to generate SR13 billion, a two per cent increase over last year, according to Abdullah Al-Jihani, Deputy Chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA).
Al-Jihani said there will be eight million tourist visits to festivals around the country, at a rate of seven nights in every city. There are 19 festivals and hundreds of activities being organised in the Kingdom, he said. The summer festivals will continue for three months.
At a press conference held by the SCTA on Saturday to launch the summer festivals, Al-Jihani said the commission will soon announce the distinctive travel and tourism programme.
A wide range of activities are being planned this year for the 31st Jeddah Summer Festival, which will open on July 7 with a ceremony of fireworks, traditional dances and patriotic songs.
The five-week festival, which will end on August 11, is expected to boost domestic tourism. A total of 3.4 million people visited Jeddah during the summer of 2009, adding an estimated SR11.9 billion to the local economy, a three percent increase over 2008.
More General Travel News
Latest Travel News
Featured Sights To See
Gold of Africa Museum
Cape Town, South Africa
African gold is celebrated in this museum which houses one of the most exquisite and beautiful gold collections the world over. This museum gives insight into the history of this gold and the evolution in design over the years. Artisans from all over the African continent from countries such as Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Mali and Senegal are paid tribute for their skills in carving and designing extr...
Bastions Park
Geneva, Switzerland
This was formerly a botanical garden, and a site for the first university in Geneva. The tree lined walkways and broad avenues inside the park make it popular for romantic evening walks. The park is buzzing with people almost all day. In one corner of the park is a set of life size chess boards, where aspiring chess players of all ages test their skills. The Reformation Wall on the east side along...
Heritage House Museum
Doha, Qatar
This museum is located in a building dating back to the 1930s. It showcases the ethnography of Qatar. The architectural style definitely invokes nostalgia for the old Doha. The stone tower was a feature common to structures in the gulf region since they kept buildings ventilated and cool even in soaring temperatures. Even the exhibits harken back to a time now lost. Most of the pieces showca...
Galle Face Green Promenade
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Located by the Indian Ocean and along Galle Road, this green grassy area set on 13 acres is where people come to rest and enjoy the beautiful sunset. During the war it was heavily guarded, but now the public are able to walk freely. National and Independence Day events are held here with great gusto and during the kite season, the sky is dotted with colourful kites flying in the sea breeze. ...