Saudi Arabia’s tourism development councils and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) have announced the launch of different tourism festivals and events in various provinces.

The tourism festivals have been launched to coincide with the annual school holidays and preparations for these fairs – which include social events, heritage, sports, amusement and cultural activities – have been completed, said a report in Arab News.

According to plans, the Makkah Province will have three festivals — Jeddah Historic Festival, Souk Okaz Festival and Spring Festival in Taif in addition to a desert camp in Makkah.

The Madinah Province will not fall short of events either, with a flower festival, a desert festival in Yanbu and a third festival in Al-Ula, while Riyadh, the Eastern Province and the Qassim Province will also have their own fairs. Festivals in the Northern Border Province will include a falcon jamboree in Turaif, a winter festival in Rafha and a winter tourism fair in Arar.

The SCTA, in partnership with its provincial subsidiaries, will help promote tourism in these regions, and will offer marketing, technical and financial support to organise them, the report said.

Experts in the sector estimated a turnout of more than 5 million visitors to these festivals, owing to a significant drop in temperatures at some of the public’s favourite tourism destinations.