Tourism & Hospitality | Thursday 28 July, 2016 4:57 am |

Various tourism events, entertainment and sporting activities have been organized at many tourism sites in the Kingdom, especially at a time when Saudi domestic tourism is facing raging competition with external alternatives.
Therefore, tourism stakeholders in the Kingdom spare no effort to promote the various tourism destinations and the most prominent archaeological sites. 
Muhammad Al-Umrah, director of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH) in Asir, said: “The SCTNH branch in Asir was keen on the participation of all segments of society in the festivals, programs and activities, which were approved by Asir Gov. Prince Faisal bin Khalid,” confirming that the events are carefully chosen to meet the region’s needs.
Al-Umrah emphasized the historical and cultural value of the region, explaining that such events and festivals aim to increase the region’s income, reduce the unemployment rate and give the region’s youths the needed experiences that can help them in the job market.
He said: “Asir region topped the list of tourism destinations in the Kingdom, which awarded Abha City the title of the Capital of Arab Tourism for 2017,” stressing that this award doubles the responsibility to exert more efforts to show that the city of Abha deserves it, and supports the development of tourism infrastructure in the region of Asir and all provinces.
Moreover, the tourism industry in Asir has provided multiple sources of income for the people of the region through the productive families’ seasonal exhibitions that keep pace with the events, and summer and winter programs in the various governorates and centers of the region, which led to a higher living standard for the individual, in addition to the reduction of money leaking outside the Kingdom and redirecting it to domestic tourism, the official said.
Many provinces and regions of the Kingdom gear up to host a large number of festivals and recreational activities during the summer holidays, in addition to preparing hotels and tourist resorts with all needed services, all amenities and recreation opportunities for visitors and vacationers to enjoy their time.