“A solution should be found to the problems faced by young men during festivals in Jeddah and other parts of the Kingdom,” a member of the Tourism Committee of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), Abdul Mohsen Al-Qahtani, told Arab News.

The two major problems that have troubled young and single tourists were difficulty to get residential accommodations and the denial of entry to shopping complexes and malls.

“It is high time we solve the problems faced by young tourists. Arrangements should be made to enable all tourists, including youths, to enter malls,” Al-Qahtani said.  He said a sufficient number of security guards would guarantee the safety of women and families in malls. He blamed mall owners for not appointing the needed number of guards so that young men could enter the shopping centers without posing any threat to families. He also said that men’s wear shops were suffering losses because of the ban on youths.

Another serious problem for young tourists was the refusal to rent rooms to single guests.

Muhammad Hasan, a receptionist at an apartment complex in Jeddah, said he did not welcome single guests because a youth is more likely to mess around having people coming in and out at all hours. On the other hand, family customers are plenty particularly during vacations and Haj and Umrah seasons, he added. Furthermore families also tend to veer away from places where single men congregate.

More than 100 amusement events will be presented during the upcoming summer festival and it will be also be one of the largest in the Kingdom, a festival official said.

“All subcommittees are ready to take up their assignments to make the festival a success and to make Jeddah an international tourist destination,” said Chairman of the Tourism Committee at the JCCI Prince Abdullah bin Saud bin Muhammad.