The Al-Balada Season Tourism Festival Committee held its meeting in Al-Mukalla, in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Hussein Baslim, and chaired by the committee's vice-chair, Mr. Hassan Salem Al-Jilani, Undersecretary of the Hadhramaut Governorate. The meeting was held to finalize organizational and technical preparations for the festival's launch.
During the meeting, Deputy Minister Baslim emphasized that the Al-Balada Season Tourism Festival is one of the most important national events, reflecting the rich cultural and tourism heritage of Hadhramaut Governorate. He noted that the Ministry gives this event special attention as it contributes to revitalizing tourism and enhancing Hadhramaut's presence on the domestic and international tourism map. He also highlighted its role in supporting the local economy and creating opportunities for youth and the private sector, affirming the Ministry's commitment to ensuring the festival's success in partnership with the local authorities and relevant stakeholders.
For his part, the Deputy Governor of Hadhramaut, Al-Jilani, conveyed the greetings of the Presidential Leadership Council member and Governor of Hadramawt, Mr. Salem Ahmed Al-Khanbashi, emphasizing the Governor's interest in and direct oversight of the committee's work and his keenness to ensure the festival's success in a manner befitting Hadhramauts tourism standing.
The meeting discussed several key topics, most notably reviewing the outcomes of the committee's first meeting, identifying the entities responsible for implementing the events of the Al-Balada Tourist Season Festival, and discussing proposed funding sources. The meeting also addressed the locations for the festival's opening and closing ceremonies to ensure they contribute to achieving the desired tourism and organizational goals.
The meeting concluded with a number of outcomes, including the approval of additional offices to the festival committee and the decision to prioritize private sector and contracting companies in implementing the festival's events. The technical and organizational proposals will be presented to the committee for final approval.
The committee also approved the submission of proposed activities by relevant executive offices and directorates covered by the festival committee's decision, to be presented at the next meeting. A clear and specific funding mechanism will be established. Furthermore, the committee emphasized the need for the Coast Guard to prepare a comprehensive plan, to be presented at the next meeting, for securing and organizing the maritime events accompanying the festival.
In closing, the committee stressed the importance of integrated efforts from official, security, and private sector entities to ensure the success of the Al-Balad Tourist Season Festival and to highlight it as a tourism event reflecting the cultural and natural heritage of Hadhramaut Governorate.
