DAMMAM, 30 July 2003 — Tour operators are worried by the persistent decline in the tourism sector, saying there have been far fewer holidaymakers from Saudi Arabia than in previous years.
During vacation time, many Saudis used to go abroad in order to escape the scorching heat and suffocating humidity. This year, the traffic has yet to pick up, despite the fact that nearly three weeks have passed since schools closed for the summer vacation.
Following the Sept. 11 tragedy, destinations for many Saudis have changed. No more US and Europe. These destinations are now being replaced by the tranquillity of Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt or the humming souks of Dubai. In short, Saudis now prefer to travel to Arab and GCC countries Hassan Jasem of Fouad Travel Agency told Arab News that the tourism sector has been a victim of multiple circumstances. Change in the political environment around Europe and other Western countries, the stringent visa rules of many countries, the financial crunch and the SARS scare are some of the factors impeding the growth of the tourism sector.
But he admitted the recession was expected. In view of the slowdown in trade, many tourism agencies started offering attractive packages with huge discounts. But even such bargains cannot entice people, who are more worried about their safety and health. If traffic to American and Canadian destinations declined, then new destinations opened up in France and Germany. Travel agencies in the Eastern Province confirmed that a noticeable increase was registered in traffic to France, Germany and some other Western European countries.
“Reservations to the United States have dropped by more than 50 percent because of the fear of a backlash in the aftermath of Sept. 11,” travel sources said. According to Arul Manickam of Kanoo Travel Agency, the new trend is to travel to Arab and GCC countries. Lebanon, Egypt and Syria are very popular destinations for Saudi holidaymakers. Oman, too, is attracting quite a few tourists for its rain, greenery and vibrant ocean.
“Salalah is a fantastic place in Oman where you can have that,” said Abdullah Al-Baloshi, a Saudi who intends to vacation there, for his vacation, said. There has been a substantial increase in traffic to Iran too. Prospective holidaymakers say that many airlines increase their fares during high season. It is for this reason that several Saudis plan to go on vacation when schools reopen and there is less of a rush.
“It is this period when travel is cheaper, as many airlines bring down their fares,” said a young Saudi who wants to travel to South East Asia.
Local tourism officials were expecting that a decline in international tourism would actually be their gain because it would boost domestic tourism. But that never happened.
