Abha, the capital city of Aseer Province in Saudi Arabia, has been named the ‘Arab Capital of Tourism’ for 2017.

An inauguration ceremony was held in Abha and was attended by royal members, Ministers of Tourism and Ambassadors of the Arab countries, along with Dr. Bandar Al Fuhaid, chairman of the Arab Tourism Organization,
Shaikh Khalid bin Hamood Al Khalifa, chief executive officer of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority (BTEA), and a number of intellectuals from various Arab countries.

The ceremony was held under the patronage of HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Chairman of the Board of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage and Honorary President of the Arab Tourism Organization.

"It is with great pleasure for us to congratulate HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Abha being named the ‘Capital of Arab Tourism’ of 2017, as a result of the tremendous efforts made over the years between all parties involved,” said Shaikh Khalid.

"We look forward to strengthening the ties of cooperation and collaboration between all tourism authorities in the GCC to promote tourism and develop this vital sector, which will be the foundation of the regional economies in the future," he added.

The ceremony included a number of events including a short documentary and a performance entitled "Jibin Al Sobh Ya Abha" presented by the singer Abadi Al Johar, along with the participation of a number of popular groups that presented different types of the region's heritage.

The ceremony also included an exhibition of more than 20 pavilions attended by the authorities and companies involved in Abha’s tourism sector. - TradeArabia News Service