He was keen to repeat his visits to the area for good reason, as he belonged to the military sector and unlike civilians he is not allowed to spend his vacation in other countries.

This man used to book a furnished apartment that for years had been charging him SR250 a night.

When he contacted the apartment, he only requested a booking for three nights and did not bother to ask about the price as he did not anticipate any change in rates.

When he arrived, he was surprised when the receptionist asked him to pay SR900. He asked the receptionist why he wanted to take more than the price for three nights combined and in advance. The receptionist then told him the price for the apartment was SR900 a night!

My astonished friend looked at his family. He saw his newborn baby in the bosom of his mother, the luggage, his young daughter holding swimming equipment and his son holding the abaya of his mother and whispering to her that he wanted to sleep.

He looked again at the receptionist, not believing what he had heard. He kept silent for a moment before finally telling the receptionist to take the SR900.

The story ends here. But remembering what I have been reading in the newspapers lately, I recalled that the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) had strongly warned hotels and furnished apartments to stick to the increase of 50 percent and 30 percent respectively during the high seasons. The SCTA provided a free toll number to call in case of any violations.

I think these crazy rises may be caused by the following:

• The spring vacation coincided with the two-month salary ordered by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.

• There are no inspectors from the SCTA to make surprise inspection tours to check prices.

• Owners of hotels and furnished apartments realize that any legal action to claim any price difference will protract endlessly.

• Hotel and furnished apartment owners are targeting Saudis who have no option but to spend their short leave inside the country either because of the nature of their jobs, their limited income and the number of children.

The funny thing is that the increase in the price of furnished apartments have by far surpassed the rise in hotel room prices, even the five star ones.

In conclusion, I say that a rise in rates of around 400 percent can only be checked through surprise visits and an emergency committee imposing quick and sizable fines.