By Abdul Karim Al-Theyabi

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

TAIF — The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) is preparing the longest recreational tourist path in the country with a length of 1,835 km as part of its ambitious drive to promote domestic tourism.

The path would connect the Kingdom’s south with the north through the western region, starting from Abha and reaching Tabuk, passing through Al-Baha, Taif, Jeddah, Rabigh Economic City, Yanbu and Umluj or vice versa. The path is meant only for families and the duration of the single trip will take about two weeks for each family.

The path includes a set of programs such as shopping, entertainment shows and outdoor activities, as well as exposure to sun and sea. This is part of STA’s tourism plan titled “Saudi Summer” that it wants to implement when the life returns to normal after overcoming the current coronavirus pandemic situation.

The plan aims to promote the hotel and restaurant sectors with offering attractive discounts and diverse activities. It would also encourage gas stations to raise levels of hygiene and an environment free from pollution, in addition to setting up of food trucks. There are also proposals to open small rest houses and farms in accordance with the precautionary measures and preventive protocols against coronavirus.

Speaking to Okaz/Saudi Gazette, Ahmad Al-Joaid, a tour guide, said that tourist path is aimed at promoting domestic tourism, especially in cities that enjoy moderate temperatures such as Taif, Al-Baha and Abha, which are experiencing continuous rains and seasons for the production of natural fruits. “It also aims to promote tourism through vehicles instead of aircraft in the context of the prevailing travel restrictions,” he said.

Meanwhile, Okaz/Saudi Gazette witnessed renewed activities in the field of reception of visitors by a number of hotels and furnished apartments in Taif after the easing of travel restrictions as part of partial relaxation of the lockdown. A number of owners of hotels and furnished apartments emphasized that they have taken all the precautionary measures and preventive protocols such as keeping clean and neat, hygiene, sterilization and social distance, saying that rates are still at their lowest levels as the business is still very poor.