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.