There is a perceptible drive in Saudi Arabia to get more tourists in. Tourists who could and would spend time and money exploring the different regions of the country, some for historical reasons, while others in pursuit of a religious nature.
Jeddah has its fair share of tourists during these summer months and luckily my natural curiosity has allowed me to get to meet a few of these arrivals to the city and listen first hand to some of their wants and needs.
Decent and affordable accommodation is high on their list. If a family of four to six persons is to be encouraged to stay here longer, then there must be an end to the price gouging of furnished flats and apartments. Some landlords think nothing of charging some of these travelers upward of SR 6,000-8,000 per week for acceptable accommodation during these months.
Simple mathematics tells me it would be cheaper for such a family to fly to the beaches of Sharm El-Sheikh or the cool mountain resorts of Syria for less and stay at 5-star hotels with breakfast included.
Another common gripe is the lack of access to the coast on this coastal city that sits besides the Red Sea. As most of the domestic tourists are coming here from landlocked towns and villages, access to the open sea is high on their agenda. But sadly, there is little public access. Everything else is gated or expensive. Prices of SR3,000 per day and upward is not uncommon for a beach cabin during these months, denying most of our visitors a chance for a quick dip in the refreshing coastal waters.
It strikes me as bizarre as to how our municipality could so quickly transform a once beautiful Corniche that at one time enveloped visitors with the serenity of softly crashing waves, into an ugly collection of half built concrete buildings and fast food restaurants that have all but blocked most visitors from getting to the shores and getting their feet wet. What are these bureaucrats thinking of?
Lack of public toilets is a major nuisance. That is something the municipality must consider if it is serious about encouraging tourism. Nothing could be more annoying than having to go but not finding a nearby place to do it.
There are a few sub-standard amusement parks, but nothing worth a mention. Shrewd businessmen take note. In a country with a burgeoning population and doting parents, I cannot think of too many other investments that would provide immediate returns. And remember, the cooler the environment, the better. Therefore, think indoors.
As for food and shopping, most visitors are very satisfied with the diversity of both. Jeddah is multi-cultural, and the variety of ethnicities of its people shows up in the food with prices also very reasonable. Shopping here nets goods from all over the world, and while Westerners flock over to the gold souks, the domestic tourists invade department stores and shopping malls.
With a few minor changes to the way we do things, and with little extra investment, we in Jeddah can help make it a more fun place to visit.
