The world's largest date festival opened in Buraidah on yesterday and will run for forty days, Saudi Gazette report today. The head of Qassim Municipality and the supervisor of the festival, Saleh Al-Ahmad, called the festival a great boost for the province's economy and a major tourist attraction.

The festival's executive manager Abdulaziz Al-Mahoos told the daily that the festival is also research opportunity. “The festival gathers date enthusiasts from all over the country at one place. We will conduct surveys and collect statistics on the sales and revenues throughout the festival.”