With the approach of the week-long half term holidays the price of furnished apartments in the Eastern Province has once again shot up by up to 100 per- cent, provoking the now seasonal expressions of dismay from the public. “The rises at this time of year are completely unacceptable,” said Abdullah Al-Dossari, “and the authorities need to step in and put a stop to it.” “I had to leave the place where I was staying last week as they put the price of the apartment up without any warning,” said Muhammad Omar. Despite fears among the local population that the high charges could affect tourism in the region, temporary accommodation is witnessing high numbers of bookings. “We've been booked up for over a week now,” said Samir Radhwan who works at a furnished apartment block, “and the number of inquiries has been going up all the time for over two weeks now.” According to Radhwan, the circumstances are normal for what has been declared over the last three years a “tourist season”. “The Eastern Province is very attractive for Saudi families during these short holidays given its moderate climate and the coastline which brings a lot of people from the interior of the country,” he said. Abdullah Abdul Mu'nim, another employee at a furnished apartment firm, said prices were currently ranging between 300 and 500 riyals a night for a single room and living room, compared to 150 to 250 riyals during off-peak times. A two-bedroom apartment, he said, was going for between 400 and 700 riyals compared to the usual 200 to 350. “A three-bedroom apartment which would normally cost 300 riyals at the moment costs 600,” he said.
