The annual Jeddah Festival is expected to generate business worth SR2 billion ($530 million), Jeddah Governor Prince Mishaal bin Majeed has said.

He said the festival which was opened middle of last month, will run all through July.

Jeddah 22 was opened by Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed in a colourful ceremony that included laser shows, fireworks and parachute jumps.

The opening ceremonies at two venues in the city - Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium on Makkah Road and the Al Nourus Square on the Corniche - attracted more than 250,000 people.

The six-week long festival is expected to draw a record 2.5 million visitors to the city, a local report has said.

Prince Mishaal, who is the president of the festival committee, said 109 events, including 36 new activities, would be held during the tourism festival being held for the third year in a row.

Jeddah, the main gateway to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, is one of the main tourist centres in Saudi Arabia. Every year it attracts thousands of visitors.