Jeddah Shopping Festival 2014 in Saudi targets over 1m visitors

The Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI) unveiled Wednesday the calendar of events for the third edition of Jeddah Shopping Festival “Haya Jeddah”, to be held from January 10 to February 8, setting the stage to highlighting Jeddah as a family tourism destination that offers unique shopping experiences.

The JCCI, in collaboration with the Higher Committee for Tourism and Monuments, is organizing the festival, which coincides with the short vacation in the mid- academic year.

The announcement was made at the JCCI’s head office with the attendance of Adnan Mandoura, Secretary General of JCCI, Hassan Dahlan, Deputy Secretary General of JCCI, Mohammed al-Saeed, Director of Jeddah Center of Forums and Events, sponsors and representatives of local media.

This year’s Jeddah calendar of events features attractions in diverse fields from shopping to entertainment, shopping promotions, and mega raffles offering prizes which will be reaching two million Saudi rials, Mandoura said.

“We are very pleased to announce the dates for the next edition of Jeddah Shopping Festival, the country’s best shopping extravaganza which aims to support the local fashion and lifestyle industry, while promoting tourism,” he said.

He noted that Jeddah Shopping Festival has become one of country’s best-loved shopping events with a unique and diverse range of retail experiences - from city and street markets, to traditional souks, to world-class shopping malls.

Jeddah, with its refurbished seafront, is expected to draw over one million tourists and visitors during the 30-day Shopping Festival, he further said.

Moreover, “we realize that Dubai Shopping Festival is held at the same and many Saudis planning to spend their mid-term academic year in Dubai time but we are aiming through “ Haya Jeddah” festival, to keep them here as we organizing much more entertaining events and offering them big discounts,” he said.

Dahlan pointed out that the festival is aimed at making Jeddah, the Bride of the Red Sea, as the Kingdom’s foremost shopping front through organizing various shopping activities, as well as attractive promotions, draws plus entertainment.

“This year we are witnessing about 5000 retail stores located in 30 shopping malls will be participating by offering special promotions and offers for ‘Haya Jeddah’ visitors,” he said.

Many gifts on the occasion will be distributed that will include ten cars and more than 40,000 other gifts that will be given out every day at different locations, he told the media.

Several government and private departments and agencies are taking part in organizing the event, and they included Jeddah governorate, Jeddah mayoralty, and King Abdulaziz International Airport. Jeddah’s tourism and hospitality sector has made elaborate arrangements and preparations to host those flocking to the city during the shopping festival.

This aricle was first published in the Saudi Gazette.