JEDDAH, 13 February 2003 — As Haj draws to a close, the business of making money over the Eid break is well under way. From Obhur in the north to Al-Hamra beach in the south, traders at all levels are gearing up for a busy few days.
“So far, it’s been steady but quiet,” reported David Kirk, beach manager at Al-Nakheel Beach. “Wednesday was the busiest day so far. Many of the visitors to the beach come for the diving, and right now it’s full.”
Compared with the same period last year, however, the level of business generally is down. A substantial proportion of the guests were there for the unique combination of water sports and shopping.
On the waters of Obhur, a sheltered inlet at the north of Jeddah’s Corniche, boats and jet skis were in high demand.
“The glass-sided boat has been in constant demand, out as often as we can turn it round,” said Eric Mason, executive manager of Al-Ahlam Marina. As the Ramadan Eid showed increased business on the previous year, Mason was hopeful. “It’s busy now, so we’re cautiously optimistic.”
The Sinbad amusement park, a “families only” amusement center, has not yet felt the impact of visitors.
“So far, there has been no difference from the normal week’s business,” said Rajalla Mutairi, who monitors security and throughput for the park. “We are still waiting for the families to return from Haj. Ramadan was certainly better for us.”
The separation of visitors into groups seems to have no effect on business for Snow World, which offers a toboggan ride down a real snow slope. With a “no families with men, no singles” policy operating most of the week the uniqueness of the experience of a snow ride in Jeddah seems to attract crowds.
“We are always crowded and we’re expecting extra pressure this Eid,” said Ahmed Ibrahim, the admissions manager.
“We attract visitors from all over the Kingdom. We have been open just 18 months and so far, it has been good.”
Mohammed Ali certainly hopes so. Recently arrived in Jeddah, attracted by the prospect of a busy Eid and the enthusiastic reports of his friends, he patiently leads a camel ride along the Al-Hamra beach. “It’s good business here on the beach. It’s my first Eid here and so far, I have been busy all the time,” he told Arab News.
Prices have risen dramatically in both accommodation and entrance fees to some amusements. “Prices in all the cabins rise during Eid. This is quite normal. We get more people during Eid than any other time,” said an official from Al-Kanary Cabins.
Officials from Moj Al-Shahel Cabins echoed this theme. “We’re prepared for Eid. Prices are subject to supply and demand. It’s normal to see high prices during Eid.”
The price rises in Jeddah that seem normal for this time of year vary from business to business. Hotels and single rooms report a 15 to 25 percent increase. However, rises in some of the most sought after areas have reached 500 percent. Cabins, which normally cost SR900 a day, are now fetching SR5,000. Furnished apartments in some areas have rocketed from SR300 a day to SR1,500.
Okaz reports that cabins along the Obhur range from SR1,500 to SR5,000 a day, depending on their proximity to the beach. This is an increase of 150 to 350 percent.
“I came to escape the cold weather in Abha,” said Nasser Asiri, a visitor from Abha. “I was surprised to see that one of the cabins actually cost SR3,000 a day. I would have to spend SR10,000 to stay for just three days! I went for a furnished apartment instead.”
For those with families and money to spend, Jeddah can be an attractive and exciting place. For the young single man, it’s a different story. Teenagers have demanded that the prices for admission to beaches along Obhur be controlled against sudden and extreme price rises. Many operate family-only policies, effectively excluding a large proportion of the community from “public” amusement.
The only available free public areas suffer an appalling lack of amenities, both sanitary and medical. The beaches are both littered and polluted, especially in the Al-Hamra area.
