Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) will organize Taif and Al-Souda festivals simultaneously in August as part of the Saudi Seasons Festival.

The festivals aim to highlight Saudi Arabia's historical and cultural components, natural landscape and artistic diversity with a focus on the distinctive features of the country's two major summer destinations.

Noura Al-Okail, director of Taif Season, said the activities of the festival would put Taif in its natural place as a top Arab summer destination by highlighting its historical heritage, cultural and artistic diversity and exquisite natural beauty. The qualitative and diverse activities will also meet the aspirations of Saudi and expatriate families and Arab tourists, she added.

“Remarkable efforts are being made this year by the government, private and community sectors for boosting tourism,” Al-Okail said.

Known as the city of roses, Taif is attractive to domestic and foreign tourists due to its mild weather during summer and natural landscape especially in Al-Shifa and Al-Hada regions.

Taif is famous for its magnificent tourist attractions such as museums, parks, flea markets, fruits, roses and flower gardens as well as cultural attractions, the foremost of which is Souk Okaz.

Shubra Palace, one of the most important museums in the Kingdom, is also another major tourist attraction in Taif.

The festival aims to consolidate Taif’s position as the top Arab tourist destination, with a highlight on its historical and cultural depth and its nice weather in summer.

A range of quality events catering to all age groups will be organized in different locations. The activities include the famous Okaz Souk, which consists of literary, cultural and artistic events, as well as a poetry competition and the Arab Market, which will host several Arab countries for the first time this year.

The “Crown of the Camels” Festival, which is a manifestation of the original Arab civilization, and other activities including mountaineering, rose festival, fruit festival, the Art Street and a theater staging a series of plays will be held as part of the festival.

Hessam Bin Saleh Al-Madani, director of Al-Souda Season, said the festival would highlight the distinguished features of Al-Souda as one of the important tourist destinations in the Kingdom.

Jabal Souda in Al-Souda is considered the tallest of the Asir mountains at an altitude of 3,015 meters above sea level.

The mountains of Asir are distinguished for overlooking the Tihama valleys and for having a number of parks that attract tourists and nature lovers to enjoy beautiful weather and clean air.

The festival will be remarkable as it will highlight Al-Souda’s unique location, nature, scenic views, distinctive climates and mountainous terrain embracing the clouds, besides showcasing the region’s heritage and cultural treasures, parachuting and other interesting adventure activities, with a variety of artistic, lyrical and entertainment events.

Al-Madani said the SCTH launched the Saudi Arabian Season in line with the keenness of the wise leadership and the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to boost domestic tourism and the entertainment industry. By projecting the country's cultural diversity to the outside world, the Saudi government aims to take advantage of the country's huge tourism potential to create jobs and to raise the quality of life for citizens, he said.

Al-Madani pointed out that the calendar of the events of Al-Souda Season was based on four main focal areas such as the elements of nature and landscape, heritage and culture, adventures, and sports.