Asir: A favorite tourist destination in Kingdom

The region of Asir has been a favorite destination for domestic holidaymakers every year.
Although visitors say this year's summer events and tourist activities in the region were somewhat better than past years in terms of diversity and quality, they believe that roads and accommodation services need improvement.
Incomplete services and delays in executing some departments' service projects, increased numbers of beggars in public parks and the insufficient number of these parks also attracted criticism.
Roads are the backbone of tourism in Asir. They get visitors to the rural and tourist areas in the region.
However, visitors and local residents say facilities are below par.
Local resident Muhammad Aal Qaishan said: “The traffic congestion at every traffic light on the main road does not make sense.”
The only way between Abha and Khamees Mushait is King Fahd Road where a bridge project has been delayed for seven years and where tunnels and intersections are needed, he said.
“Traffic lights have been there for 30 years, during which no bridge or tunnel was built.
“This only demonstrates weak planning and an inability to cope with the region’s population and tourism growth.”
He said that all main roads in Abha must be highways.
Dr. Jamal bin Muhammad Al-Bishri recalled his visit last year to Abha, where he was stuck in traffic on Assouda Road for four hours.
He said: “The traffic is much greater than the road’s capacity.”
Assouda Road connects a number of villages, rural areas and tourist locations in Abha, and it is the main road between Rijal Alma and Assouda.
He added: “Local authorities must develop it and fix some dangerous bends there.”
In the south, the only road to Al-Habala Park can be a problem to travel on for holidaymakers.
The road passes through villages and tight mountainous areas.
Abdullah Aal Fayea, a regular visitor from Tabuk, said: “Years pass and the roads, including this one, remain the same.”
Visitor Abdullah bin Mayouf Al-Qahtani said: “I haven't seen any real development in Asir.
“It is the same as it has been for a decade and a half.
“Traffic lights and traditional intersections are everywhere; potholes and bad asphalting cover several areas of the streets."”
Another bother to visitors comes from beggars. They are at every park and public recreation place, especially in Assouda and Alhabala.
Fahd Abanmi from Riyadh said last year he had an annoying experience with beggars who harass visitors in parks.
Although dozens of hotels and furnished apartments are spread around Asir region, several visitors say the prices are not reasonable given the low quality of the apartment, services and facilities like parking.
Secretary-general of Asir's Tourism Development Board and Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities' regional executive director Abdullah bin Mataen said prices are reasonable and range from SR200 to SR450 for one day.
He said the commission recently discovered several violations and temporarily closed several establishments.