AL-WAJH, located about 325 kilometers south of Tabuk on the Red Sea, is one of the oldest coastal cities in the Kingdom. Despite its pristine beaches, captivating coral reefs and other marine resources the city failed to attract many tourists this season. Official efforts exerted to give this destination publicity are modest at best, which is why few in the Kingdom know of Al-Wajh. But there are also other reasons, mostly related to poor infrastructure. For the residents of Tabuk, Al-Wajh is one of the most preferred getaways due to its ideal location and proximity to numerous islands. Located in one of the most mesmerizing part of the Red Sea coast, the city is a favorite destination for divers who are interested in exploring the depths of the sea as well as fishermen looking for lobsters, which Al-Wajh is famous for. Capt. Abdulhafiz Qashqari, a member of the Arab Amateur Radio Association (AAR), said he had never seen the beautiful azure waters except around Al-Dhahra Island off Al-Wajh coast. “It's a magnificent place and the weather is moderate throughout the year,” he said. Nasser Al-Aqeel, a member of the Saudi Commission of Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH), described the weather of Al-Wajh as the nicest in the entire Kingdom. “Everything is available there including housing, transportation and food,” he said. Citizen Hani Kurdi said the reason why there are not as many tourists as there should be in Al-Wajh is that hotel room rates are expensive due to their limited availability. Moreover, the main beach does not have many restaurants and canteens nor does it have enough public toilets and marine rides. Fellow citizen Anwar Al-Jahdali agreed. He also gave another reason: unpaved roads leading to the beach and the unavailability of taxis at the airport. “Another obstacle is the lack of flights between Al-Wajh and other cities; Jeddah is the only city that operates direct flights to Al-Wajh,” he said. Ibrahim Al-Shareef, secretary-general of Al-Wajh Tourist Development Committee, blamed the absence of annual tourism festivals in the governorate like other cities. He said such festivals play a big role in attracting people. “A number of investors have put the blame on strict restrictions enforced by some authorities on beachgoers,” he said. Fahad Al-Ghareed, a marketing specialist at SCTH's Tabuk branch, said the commission was working with its partners to remove all obstacles facing tourism development in the governorate. “There are several projects being implemented here, which will boost tourism infrastructure and attract more visitors to the city,” he said.
