In brief
The 17th Hail Camel Auction wrapped up Saturday after a decade‑long run in Hail, drawing a crowd of over sixty thousand visitors and generating sales exceeding SAR45 million. The event blended auction activities with cultural showcases—handicrafts, waterskin making, and resin art—supporting heritage and tourism initiatives across the kingdom.
The 17th Hail Camel Auction concluded Saturday after a ten‑day runway, with sales reported by the Saudi Press Agency to exceed SAR45 million and an attendance exceeding 60,000 visitors from across the kingdom.
The event ran from Monday, 25 October, through Saturday, 1 November, at the Hail camel auction grounds. According to the SPA, the auction not only facilitated transactions on the ring but also extended sales to the auction grounds and the owners’ premises.
Alongside the auction itself, the program featured a range of heritage, tourism, and entertainment activities. Visitors were invited to explore dedicated pavilions showcasing traditional markets, handicrafts and ceramics, waterskin making workshops, and resin art displays, all highlighting the region’s cultural assets.
Government entities, sponsors and supporters organized and funded the event, according to the SPA press release, and their participation was said to enhance both the economic impact and cultural visibility of the festival.
The SPA noted that the auction’s economic impact grew every year since its inception, with the 17th iteration becoming the most successful to date in terms of sales and visitor numbers.
Visitors reported enjoying the combination of traditional camel trading and cultural exhibitions, with many noting that the atmosphere reflected Hail’s identity as a center of equine heritage and regional craftsmanship.
Government officials attending the closing ceremony praised the auction’s role in promoting Saudi Arabia’s heritage tourism, underscoring the event’s contribution to local economic development and cultural preservation.
The SPA also highlighted that the auction’s ten‑day duration allowed for broad participation, with exhibitors and buyers from multiple provinces. Social media feeds from the event captured the bustling market stalls, the vibrant colors of traditional garments, and the live auction displays.
Prior to the event’s conclusion, organizers announced plans for next year’s auction, promising an even broader selection of camel breeds and additional heritage showcases, all aimed at further strengthening Hail’s reputation as a flagship cultural and livestock market in Saudi Arabia.
Overall, the 17th Hail Camel Auction demonstrated the nation’s ongoing commitment to preserving its equine traditions while integrating modern tourism and entertainment components to attract visitors and boost the local economy.
