Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — The Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) on Monday launched the 20th Jeddah Summer Festival at Red Sea Mall. The festival is expected to have 50 different cultural and entertainment activities including theater performances, public arts, beach performances, and shopping. The festival will end on July 21.

Some 10 mega commercial centers and 70 entertainment parks will take part in the festival and SR1 million has been set for 500 gifts. The festival receives support from Jeddah Governorate, General Entertainment Authority and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage.

The event was first launched back in 1998 as the first festival in the country. Now its activities have been diversified and it targets 1 million visitors during a one-month period.

Mazen Batterjee, vice chairman of the JCCI, said the festival will contribute to commercial activities in the city and will enhance tourism and hotel sector. He noted that all parties involved will contribute in providing a comprehensive Saudi tourism that reflects the local identity and tradition. Batterjee added that some 20 memorandums of understanding have been signed between Saudi Arabia and the UAE and this includes cooperation on different levels including improving a luxury housing program, banking empowerment policy and establishing a small and medium businesses fund among other projects.

Hassan Dahlan, secretary general of the JCCI, said they hope to meet the expectations of the public through different events including entertainment, sports, shopping, folklore, art and culture, and tourism. Dahlan said they have distributed activities at different areas of the city.