Tourism authorities in Jeddah expect over 2.5 million visitors to the city during this year's summer festival.
The Jeddah Tourism Committee formally launched the 'Jeddah 22' festival which is to begin on June 13, the Arab News reported. Jeddah Governor Prince Mishaal ibn Majed, who is also the president of the festival committee, told a press conference yesterday at the launch that the six-week festival, the fourth in a row, would be unique in many ways this year. 'The number of events has increased from 73 last year to 109 this year,' said Prince Mishaal. The governor said a gold festival would be held for the first time as part of the event. 'This will be organised jointly by the World Gold Council and the Gold and Jewellery Committee of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry,' he said. Ten additional events are planned to make the festival more lively. The festival will include water sports such as fishing contests, beach volleyball, water skiing and scuba diving. Poetry nights, plays, seminars, exhibitions and musical contests will also be held.