I do not believe there is any subject that has been discussed with so much depth in the media as the issue of Saudis going abroad for their vacations. The cold weather in some countries never stops Saudis from traveling abroad. The trend continues despite the efforts of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) and the enthusiasm of its president, Prince Sultan Bin Salman, to make the majority of the Kingdom's cities tourist destinations. There is reluctance to attend special festivals within the Kingdom due to the high costs of accommodation, and mediocre activities and programs. The festivals held during the mid-year vacations are not good enough to stop people from going abroad for their holidays. The authorities need to convince Saudis to take their holidays within the Kingdom. They need to control the price of accommodation, improve municipal services, roads, recreation parks and other means of recreation, and raise the standard of hotels and furnished apartments. The SCTA has succeeded in getting the different regions of the Kingdom to compete with one another in the festivals that they organize. However, the different regions need unique ideas to make the festivals special enough to attract domestic tourists, this is especially the case within the coastal regions of the Kingdom. I know huge numbers of Saudi tourists travel to cities like Dubai during the winter and summer. There are 16 flights in a day to Dubai via various airlines. The weather in Dubai, similar to Riyadh, the Eastern Province, Jeddah and the south of the Kingdom, is cold. Despite this, hundreds of thousands of Saudis travel to Dubai more than they travel to Abha, Jeddah or the Eastern Province. What attracts them to Dubai? What is it that is not here that they seek in Dubai? I am of the view that Dubai's attraction begins the moment people land at the airport. They are well received, according to international standards, and are able to find excellent means of transport as they step out. The hotels, restaurants, parks and theme parks in Dubai are also of very high standards and suitably priced. Families can enjoy themselves without being stifled with issues of “privacy”. The same families who are overeager to maintain their privacy in the Kingdom can be seen in Dubai at theme parks and in restaurants enjoying themselves without requesting partitions. The people in Dubai are well mannered; people who cause offense, harass families and break social norms are dealt with suitably. Everyone has the right to travel. Many people across the world leave their home countries—though they may be rich with tourist sites—during the vacations. They seek to rejuvenate their bodies and minds and enjoy themselves. Tourism has become an important industry for the Gross National Product of many countries. However, the increase in Saudi tourists is interesting. We all definitely wonder why Saudis travel to neighboring Gulf countries like Bahrain, Dubai and Qatar when we also have beaches and coastlines toward the east on the Arabian Gulf and also toward the west on the Red Sea. When you ask a Saudi about Dubai's landmarks, he will promptly reply. However, when you ask him about some of the Kingdom's cities, especially those with tourist sites, he will struggle to answer. Why is this the case? Universities, in cooperation with the relevant government authorities, need to research the reasons why Saudis travel abroad and the negative effects of doing so on individuals, families and wider society. They should try and ascertain solutions so that our wealth remains within the Kingdom rather than being spent abroad.
