ABHA — A cold chill is affecting most regions of the Kingdom, especially the highlands of the northern and southern regions. Normal life has also been affected by heavy snowfall and extreme cold weather. In the midst of winter, residents of the Sarawat Mountain ranges in the south are taking shelter in the warmth of Tihama and its beaches along the Red Sea coast.
Tihama Asir draws thousands of picnickers thanks to its warm and pleasant weather. Families in their thousands from various cities and mountainous regions of Asir, Baha and Jazan provinces throng the beaches during the weekend.
Mufreh Yahya Mufreh, a citizen, said local residents from the highlands of Asir are now flocking to Tihama Asir in search of warm weather. They enjoy relaxing on the beaches in Huraidah, Qahma, and Omuq.
Abdullah Al-Qahtani, a resident of Sarat Obaida, said he took his family to the beaches of Tihama Asir in pursuit of its warm and pleasant weather when his native place experiences extreme winter. Abdurahman Al-Abdali, another resident, said that there is huge presence of picnickers in many lower plains of Asir and Jazan such as Huraidah, Qahma, Rijal Alma, Mahayil Asir, Darb, Shaqeeq, Tihama Ballahmar and Ballasmar.
A large number of Saudi youths from Baha and Asir also flock to Tihama in order to enjoy its pleasant weather. They set up tents in open air and stay there overnight. Muqbil Al-Ghamdi, one of them, said that they are following a custom inherited from their elders.
“We came in the company of close friends to enjoy the pleasant weather and beauty of nature, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. We bring all essential things for camping such as food, tents, carpets, lanterns and mosquito nets,” he said while noting that they undertake the trips on the weekend after great planning and preparation.
Hamad Bin Muhammad, another member of the group, said such outings allow people to learn the meaning of community living. “This is a rare opportunity for me to enjoy the beauty of pure nature in the company of intimate friends while sharing ideas and exchanging friendly advice.”
The huge rush of picnickers to Tihama has resulted in considerable increase in the rents of furnished apartments, villas and beach cabins. Speaking to Okaz/Saudi Gazette, several picnickers complained about the steep hikes. One disgruntled visitor said: “Rents of apartments increased two-fold and the rent for a flat with ordinary facilities rose to over SR500 per day. Rates for beach houses are similarly high.”
Yahya Al-Omrani and Saeed Al-Qahtani expressed their displeasure over the insufficient number of accommodations in the coastal regions. Abdullah Al-Zahrani, a native of Abha, said: “I used to go to Qahma and Huraidah in the afternoon and return home early morning mainly because of non-availability of apartments during the weekend.”
Abdullah Matain, executive director of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) in Asir, said that the coastal regions are currently witnessing unprecedented growth and development. “Prince Faisal Bin Khaled, Emir of Asir region, laid the foundation stone for several projects, and these included the Asir Beach Resort and seafront projects plus several public utilities for tourists and picnickers,” he added. More
