By Abdul Karim Al-Dhiabi

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

TAIF — Taif is one of the Kingdom’s most favorite tourist destinations to where thousands of vacationers flock during the summer season. Moderate temperature, rain and pleasant weather offer a real breathing space for the picnickers during the current Saudi Summer Season festival titled “Tanaffus” (breathing).

The Saudi Tourism Authority is exerting all efforts to further boost domestic tourism with making all the arrangements and facilities for the tourists from all walks of life, especially in the wake of the inability to avail of tourism trips abroad due to the temporary travel ban caused by the coronavirus pandemic. As part of this, the authority has arranged small tents at major open parks in various parts of the city.

Okaz/Saudi Gazette saw many vacationers taking advantage of this arrangement, especially low income people, in view of the huge demand and high rents for hotel accommodation. Many vacationers said that they resorted to this mainly because of the high rental charges in tourist rest houses and hotels. According to a survey carried out by Okaz/Saudi Gazette, there is an exorbitant increase in the rents of residential units, ranging between SR300 and SR800 for a two-bed hotel room.

There are several tent camps in the regions of Al-Hada and Al-Shafa and they are frequented by large number of tourists and visitors to enjoy moderate temperature, rains and a variety of destinations, away from the scorching sun and the hurly burly city life in many regions of the Kingdom. They also enjoy buying various Taif rose products.

Historian Issa Al-Qusayr revealed that during the past weeks, thousands of vacationers have flocked to Taif and as a result, hotels, rest houses and furnished apartments are fully occupied. This season also coincides with the flooding of various kinds of fruits to the local markets.

“This year’s summer is considered as one of the most successful tourist seasons in the regions of Al-Hada and Al-Shafa, especially Al-Rudaf Tourist Park that witnessed a huge influx of visitors from all regions of the Kingdom,” he added.