By Abdul Karim Al-Dhiyabi

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

TAIF — Authorities have given their consent for the Taif season to continue for the next 10 years following the success of the recently concluded first season, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH) has said.

"We have already started preparations for the next version. Taif has come back to its old position as a summer resort for the Arabs," he told a function held to honor the partners and the festival staff.

Taif Governor Saad Muqbil, top military and civil officials and elite from the private sector attended the function.

"What has been achieved during the first season deserves praise and appreciation and prompts us for more efforts to make the next season a complete success," he said.

Khateeb revealed that as many as 50,000 electronic visas were issued in 49 countries which were carefully selected .

"There is an opportunity for more visitors from many other countries who will boost the hotels, restaurants, rose factories and commercial establishments," he said adding that a new bright future is in the offing for the summer resort city.

He said the SCTNH will continue efforts with its partners to further boost tourism in the Kingdom by attracting more tourists.

"The commission is planning to create more than a million jobs by the year 2030," he said.

Fahd Hameed Al-Din, deputy chairman of the season, said more than 70 various activities were held during the first season with an average of 150 daily activities in addition to the other shows including camel race, shopping festival, color marathon and tourist trips.

He said hotel occupancy rate reached more than 70 percent and more than 15,000 seasonal jobs for Saudi men and women were created.

The deputy chairman said a total of 1,521 Saudi men and women who are Taif residents were trained for the season through 21 training and rehabilitation sessions.

He said the season attracted as many as 2.8 million visitors of whom about 40 percent have come from outside.

He also said about 16 promotional films and 50 video clips were made to cover the daily activities.