The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival achieved remarkable success, registering a record participation of over 21,604 camels across its three editions. This underscores the rapid growth of camel racing in Saudi Arabia and solidifies the festival's position as one of the most prominent heritage and sporting events on the global stage. With the conclusion of the third edition's competitions at the historic Janadriyah racecourse in Riyadh, the festival proved itself to be more than just a race; it is a comprehensive cultural and economic platform.
Historical background and deep-rooted heritage
Camel racing is an integral part of the cultural heritage of the Arabian Peninsula. Camels have been intertwined with human life in the desert for thousands of years, symbolizing strength and authenticity, and serving as a vital means of transportation and trade. In modern times, this sport has transformed from a traditional practice into a well-organized event with significant government support, thanks to the establishment of the Saudi Camel Racing Federation. The Federation has worked to develop international rules and standards for racing, raising the level of competition and attracting owners and trainers from around the world. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival is the culmination of these efforts, serving as an annual celebration of this rich heritage and presenting it to the world in a modern and innovative way.
Escalating growth and record numbers
The participation figures reflect the festival's upward trajectory. In its inaugural edition, held in February 2024, 6,869 camels participated. The second edition witnessed a significant jump, reaching 7,300 camels, a growth rate of 6.3%. The festival continued its momentum in the third edition, registering 7,435 camels, an increase of 1.8% over the previous edition. This cumulative growth of 8.3% compared to the inaugural edition underscores the increasing confidence in the festival and its ability to attract the finest camel breeds and the most renowned owners in the region.
Economic importance and societal impact
The festival's importance extends far beyond the purely sporting aspect, encompassing broad economic and social dimensions. The event has significantly boosted investment in the camel racing sector, with the total market value of participating camels estimated at billions of riyals, and a minimum value of approximately 600,000 riyals per camel. This substantial economic activity supports a range of related industries, such as animal feed, veterinary care, and transportation, and provides thousands of job opportunities. Internationally, the festival enhances the Kingdom's position as a global destination for sports and cultural tourism, attracting visitors and investors, which directly contributes to achieving the goals of Vision 2030, aimed at diversifying income sources and transforming cultural heritage into a productive and sustainable economic sector.
