With the Eid falling in the beginning of November, the weather is expected to be excellent and many people are planning to spend the holidays out camping along the beach. Competition for space is so rife that most Yanbu residents are adamant on driving out anyone who infringes into their reserved spaces.

Stores that sell and rent out tents and other camping equipment are also expecting business to boom. The cost of a tent ranges from SR1,500 to SR3,000 and the price of renting ranges from SR150 to SR400 a day depending on the size.

Yousuf, who runs a store that sells tents, said prices have gone up by 100 percent and that they will increase further. “This is a busy period for us,” he said.

Mansour Abud, a Saudi who was reserving a space on the beach, said he and his family always select their location at least two weeks before Eid Al-Adha.

“We are preparing for a large family gathering on the beach. We’ve reserved a space and we’ll come in a few days time to set up our tent. We’ve reserved a large area because there are many of us,” he said.

Muhammad Al-Hajouri, another Saudi, said that Eid Al-Adha is the perfect time for family get-togethers. “Our entire family is gathering from all over Saudi Arabia to holiday in Yanbu. We’re reserving spaces like other families,” he said.

Another Saudi man criticized the “uncivilized” way people reserve spaces.

“Those who want to reserve spaces should bring their tents and set them up instead of destroying the beach with these sticks and boulders. The beach is for everybody and no one should be allowed to make reservations like this,” said Nabeel Al-Juhani.

Ghenan Al-Alwani, an elderly Saudi, said he almost fell into a fight with a young man over a location. “The young man took my spot and asked me to leave saying he wanted to put his tent there. I opted to leave and complain to the officials. I can’t deal with these young ones,” he said.

Radi Al-Refaie, another Saudi, said he has been camping in the northern side of Yanbu beach for the past 15 years. “The weather is perfect especially at this time of the year. However, many Saudi youths reserve spaces for their tents close to where families set up camp and this creates problems,” he said.

Abdullah Al-Juhani, a family man, said, “I wish the officials would create some space for the youth to camp away from families. Every year we see problems between families and single men because the tents are too close. This is unacceptable.”