Saudi Arabia has unveiled what it says is the world's first camel hotel, dedicated to the service and grooming of camels during the sixth King Abdul Aziz Camel Festival.
The hotel, named Rest Assured, was shown in a video posted by the Saudi Camel Club group on Sunday in Riyadh.
“The hotel is called 'Tetaman' [Rest Assured] and includes 120 hotel rooms that provide all services for camels. More than 50 people are employed in this hotel across room services, care, attention, grooming, and protection services as well,” said Mohammed Al Harbi, spokesman for the Saudi Camel Club.
Mr Al Harbi said the hotel provides a five-star service for its guest camels, including meals, hot milk, and making sure the stables are clean and warm.
He added that the hotel is currently charging around 400 Saudi riyals ($106.5) per night.
“The idea of the hotel is wonderful and comfortable for camel owners and club officials. The camels are examined first before entering their rooms,” said camel owner Omair Al Qahtani.
The camel festival, which will continue for 40 days, started on December 1 in Riyadh, bringing together camel owners and enthusiasts from the Gulf, US, Australia, France and Russia.
The festival attracts more than 100,000 visitors a day from around the world and seeks to preserve the camel’s role in Saudi Arabia’s Bedouin tradition and heritage, even as the oil-rich country forges ahead with modernisation.
Camel breeding is a multimillion-dollar industry, with similar events taking place across the region.
King Abdulaziz Camel Festival - in pictures
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Saudi Arabian camel riders and horsewomen take part in the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival in Rumah, 160km from the capital Riyadh. The festival introduced a round for women, allowing them for the first time to enter their animals in a beauty contest. All photos: AFP -
It is the sixth King Abdulaziz Camel Festival. -
The event is part of a national programme to promote the breeding and welfare of camels. -
The 44-day festival runs until mid-January. -
Emirati men ride in a camel carriage at the festival. -
A Saudi Arabian traditional dance troupe performs. -
Activities at the festival include racing, camel beauty contests, auctions and training events. -
Women camel owners watch from the VIP section. -
As part of its campaign to promote camel farming, the kingdom introduced the Saudi Camel Club in 2017 and the International Camel Organisation in 2019. -
This year, the kingdom opened the world’s largest camel hospital at a cost of more than $36.5 million. -
Women parade on horseback at the festival.
