Lately, there has been some debate about some aspects and development of tourism in this country. And as summer holidays for schoolchildren officially begins today, there are hundreds of thousands of families busy preparing for a holiday somewhere or the other.

To understand tourism in this country, one has to come to grips with what is it that drives most families to foreign destinations. Is it the summer heat, the exotic attractions, or just what?

I caught up with a few individuals who have booked plans for a vacation abroad. Shukri, a professor at King Abdul Aziz University, is flying off to Malaysia with his family. This is not the first time for him and his family to the same destination. He finds the country comfortable, the people friendly, the prices just right, and many outlets of entertainment for his growing children.

When asked why he did not choose a domestic destination, he quickly responded, “What domestic destination?”

Faisal, a municipal worker, is off to Egypt. “I like Egypt for its variety, its friendliness, and for the bottom line that I do not have to go into debt if my family and I want to escape somewhere for a month or so. Tell me where you can find such places here? My children are interested in history, and Egypt’s ancient civilization and historical artifacts offer them a chance to witness them firsthand. Where are our historic quarters? What has been done to preserve them? Nothing!”

Salma, a housewife from Taif, had this to say. “During my childhood, I remember my father packing off the whole family to the hilly resorts of Abha and Sawdah. Even during the hottest period of the year, we would enjoy the cool morning mist as we camped on the hillside. But go to them today. There’s hardly any area that’s not walled off and restricted to visitors. And in the few places available, facilities are not up to bearable standards while prices for accommodation are atrocious. That is precisely why my family and I are escaping to Lebanon.”

Muneer, an architect, is off to Cape Town in South Africa with his family. “We love the water, the beaches, the crashing of the waves. Cape Town has it all including good weather, fair prices and a lot of attractions to keep my children amused. And the people are genuinely friendly to tourists. What more could I want? And besides, show me any development here in the Kingdom that can match them.”

“Yes, we do have hundreds of miles of coastline both in the east and west of this country,” he continued. “But are they open to the public? Miles and miles of walls and barriers prevent the general public from even knowing that water exists on the other side. And for the price that I would have to fork out in one of these private beach resorts for a week here, I could easily manage a much longer period in Cape Town. And that’s including airfare for my entire family!”

Leila, a university student in Jeddah, had this to say. “I’m off to Paris with my family. Why? Because when I walk in to a boutique I will not be intimidated by the stares of a male counter clerk. Because when I go to a café or to the Champs Elysees, I can do it on my own without fear, or hassles or retribution. Because I love art, and Paris is a city of the arts. And I enjoy the variety of people from everywhere, all minding their own business as they meander through the city. And the cuisine...Par excellence.”

While the Supreme Commission for Tourism is actively engaged in promoting tourism within Saudi Arabia, perhaps they may take note of some of the views expressed by those who chose to spend their vacation money abroad. Friendliness, facilities, places of historical and general interest, and prices seem to be the overriding factors.

Give people what they want, and watch them flock there. They will simply not stick to domestic destinations out of patriotic duty.