Manama: Saudi Arabia’s first global village will open on Thursday in the Red Sea resort of Jeddah.
The one-month multicultural festival, organised by the General Entertainment Authority, is set up within Atallah Happy Land Park, the family park with the largest number of amusement rides in Saudi Arabia.
According to organisers close to 50 countries have confirmed their participation, five from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), 10 from the Arab world, 18 from Africa, 10 from Europe and four from the Americas.
Each participant state is expected to offer a variety of industrial and commercial products, fashion and handicraft.
The village features a stage for folkloric shows performed by troupes from the participating countries dressed in their traditional costumes.
Depictions of each country’s cultures and heritage will also be displayed in the pavilions while traditional food dishes will be sampled.
Organisers expected that one million people would visit the village from February 28 until March 29.
Saudi Arabia has launched a massive campaign to boost local tourism as it seeks to diversify its economy and find novel ways to boost non-oil revenues.
The greatest global village in the Gulf is located in Dubai, now in its 23rd session with 78 countries participating. More than five million people visit the village annually.