RIYADH: Saudi families prefer to celebrate their wedding ceremonies in the neighboring Gulf states to avoid exorbitant rates charged by local hotels, according to an expert.

He said poor quality of basic facilities and service delivery are the other deterrents.

According to Khaled Al-Sharhan, a Saudi designer, these factors are behind an emerging trend of shifting the venue of marriage ceremonies from the Kingdom to other Gulf countries. It could also lead to holding other festive and recreational activities to a neighboring region unless there is a qualitative improvement on the domestic front.

Al-Sharhan pointed out that hotels in the Gulf offer customers multiple options not available in the Kingdom, such as indoor or outdoor facilities, in addition to meeting all the requests of families without restrictions. He added that unlike their Gulf counterparts, hotels in Saudi Arabia lack innovative spirit in organizing gala events.

The cost of holding a function at a venue does not match the quality of services delivered, even by 50 percent. So the ceremony could cost the Gulf hotels amounts equal to or higher than the hotels in the Kingdom, but on the other hand provide all equipment that is consistent with the amount paid.

He continued: “Migration of weddings abroad must raise the alarm at wedding halls in the Kingdom, and in front of them, options are either to reduce costs while maintaining the quality of the current service, or keep prices as they are and provide potential and more options for customers, rehabilitate places and spice up and modernize these halls.”

He said the industry sector needs improvement on an annual basis as it is necessary to keep pace with this development to allow Saudi families to celebrate their wedding within the country.