Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — Mohammad Al-Amri, general manager of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) told Saudi Gazette that about 5 million have visited Jeddah in 2017 and this number is expected to increase by 20 percent in 2018.

He added that the list of the 65 counties that will be permitted to get a tourist visa will be issued within three months.

Jeddah is expected to have the second largest museum in the Kingdom after an engineering office won a competition to design the location. Aside from that, Al-Amri said, they are supporting private museums if they want to profit from their locations.

Hassan Dahlan, secretary-general of Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), said that in February they will start Jeddah Sea Festival that promotes sea sports. Also in cooperation with the tourism commission they will hold another sea festival in Jeddah, Laith and Qunfuda in 2019.

Al-Amri said that Jeddah would be promoted to be one of the three global cities in the Kingdom. He noted that Jeddah has been chosen because it has accommodation solutions for visitors, activities and various experiences. He added that Jeddah has 110 hotels and 1200 furnished apartments and 70 trip organizing companies

Jeddah is expecting to start its Haya Jeddah shopping festival this weekend, the secretary-general of the JCCI said in a press conference Monday and stated that there will be 150 events around the city.

He added that there is no reason to travel abroad when it comes to considering ones budget especially that Jeddah offers lots of activities, events and shopping experiences.

This festival Jeddah will have various competitions and gifts that are worth SR1.5 million offered by participating commercial centers.