Al-Oqair set to become major tourist attraction

The government’s decision to allocate millions of riyals to create basic infrastructure in and around the historic port in Al-Oqair in Al-Hasa has created a positive buzz in the local community. “We welcome the decision taken by the Council of Ministers at its meeting last week to allocate SR 1.4 billion to develop Al-Oqair tourism project,” said Saleh Al-Afaleq, president of the Al-Hasa Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The general feeling among Hassawis is that the government initiative has come at the right time. Many businessmen and big corporate houses have been waiting for the government to take the lead before they pumped in their riyals. The virgin beaches of Al-Oqair have a huge potential to draw in tourists but lack of infrastructure has been the dampener. With the new government push, it is expected to become the most favored vacation hot spot in the next five years. Al-Oqair is about 50 km from Hofuf, the main city in Al-Hasa. It is also the nearest beach to Riyadh. “Yes, Al-Oqair is closest to Riyadh,” Al-Afaleq told Arab News. “It is about 350 km from Riyadh while Alkhobar beachfront is about 400 km from the capital.” The Supreme Commission for Tourism and Antiquities, led by Prince Sultan bin Salman, has always been in the forefront pushing the Al-Oqair tourism project. He repeatedly urged businessmen to invest in the area and the project because of its high tourism potential. “The Al-Oqair project is quite feasible, and when new road networks, power generation units, water and sanitation facilities are in place under the new government plan, it will become extremely attractive to investors,” said Al-Afaleq. “The government’s decision to inject of massive funds into the Al-Oqair project will make it easier and attractive for the private sector to take an active part in the building of the region’s tourism industry,” he said. When complete, the project is expected to change the demography of the region. “The Al-Oqair project will lead to the creation of a cluster of cities, industries, hotels and furnished apartments — all geared toward meeting the demand from the rising number of tourists … All these will reflect positively on the region’s economy and its lifestyle,” he said. According to Al-Afaleq, small and medium enterprises or SMEs will mushroom in the region, opening up many job opportunities for young Saudis. “There is no doubt that this project will bring in more private investment to the region and will lead to a sea-change (in the region’s fortunes),” he said. Currently, all tourists coming into Al-Hasa from Riyadh or other Gulf cities have to either take the highways or land in at the King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. “We are in talks with the civil aviation authorities to develop the Al-Hasa airport in their next phase of expansion … We are hopeful that they will accede to our request,” said Al-Afaleq. “This will lend a new dynamism to the region because having an airport in Al-Hasa itself will be a big attraction for tourists.” In the early days of the Kingdom, Al-Oqair was the first port of choice. “Everything that was imported into the Kingdom — such as wooden products, spices, foodstuff, perfumes, clothes, frankincense — was through the Al-Oqair Port,” said Al-Afaleq. “That was the time when most of the Kingdom’s trading activity was with the East, such as India and other Gulf states.” Located near the port are several archaeological mounds and the Abu Zahmoul watchtower. According to Al-Afaleq, the port went into disuse in late 1960s or early 1970s after the discovery of oil. “It is a historic port, and as I said, the beach is wonderful,” he said. Coupled with historic forts, traditional markets, beautiful weather and excellent people, Al-Hasa has all the ingredients to become the leading vacation hot spot for one and all. From: arabnews