Domestic tourism is a public need because of the economic benefits it would bring the country. It is right that we should plan and support the need. Things got started when Prince Sultan ibn Salman and his staff of the Higher Commission for Tourism visited different areas of the Kingdom to investigate the tourism potential. The commission pinpointed areas for investment in order to attract tourists. The strategy for the next few years is to provide services for tourists throughout the year and encourage them to remain within the Kingdom. What is of primary importance is that the commission for tourism receive assistance and support from other government departments — the municipality, the chambers of commerce, the private sector and the Presidency of Youth Welfare.
All is not, however, as it should be and there has been neglect in certain areas — to name but two, public parks and affordable furnished apartments. There are also neglected areas as far as municipal services are concerned. All of these oversights and neglected areas must be addressed and corrected; if the tourist does not find them satisfactory, he and his family will spend their holiday somewhere else. Domestic tourism cannot possibly succeed unless proper and essential services are provided. If families do not find what is required, it means the media has been giving an incorrect message concerning our desire to increase domestic tourism.
The role of media is very important in highlighting all areas of interest to tourists; it should not focus on only one or two attractions and never mention the others. I suggest that there be an annual competition sponsored by the higher commission to select the best tourism program. There should be committees visiting various sites and writing reports which appear in the media. The winner of the competition would of course get media coverage resulting in an increase in business.
It is difficult to compare domestic and international tourism. That does not mean that the first will cancel the second; they each possess their own characteristics. At present it is very difficult to support and market international tourism because it inevitably does harm to domestic tourism. Saudi Arabian Airlines, for example, publishes prices which, for better or worse, seem to discourage domestic tourism.
The domestic tourism offered includes an invitation to discover a particular area in the Kingdom for three days and two nights for a price of SR1,000 to SR1500. In the same publication, it offers a trip to Lebanon for eight days and seven nights for between SR3,300 and SR5,000. Now given those prices, most Saudi tourists would choose to spend their vacations abroad. Not only that, but because Saudia is the only carrier in the Kingdom, many travelers have difficulties finding a flight to go anywhere in the Kingdom.
In terms of tourism — whether domestic or international — let’s have a look at Jeddah’s beautiful Corniche. Along the entire length of the Corniche, there is not a single toilet except for one that charges users SR1. In such local parks as exist, toilets are closed because there is no maintenance. In some furnished apartments, both water and electricity are problems. How can we say that we support domestic tourism if we fail to overcome such problems as these?
