Are roadside plazas needed for tourists?

Muscat, dec 5 - With the efforts to bring in foreign tourists showing results, the question being asked now is, what about the facilities.

A cross-section of tourists the Observer spoke to felt there was a lack of quality restaurants during long drives, which is essential in a country where people have to cover 100-200 km to reach different tourist spots.

“There is no dearth of coffee shops and convenient stores at the fuel stations, but they do not meet the standards an international tourist would expect at lunch or dinner,” according to Ricard Tripper, a German tourist who is on his second visit to Oman in two years.

“I am not looking for McDonald’s, KFC or Pizza Hut but a decent restaurant that offers authentic local cuisine with clean restrooms.”

A Korean traveller echoed the same thoughts. “This is a country with natural tourist destinations located at far-off places. Roads are of high quality that make driving easier, but motorists need good food and a place to relax.”

Another issue dogging the tourists is the pricey hotel stays, especially during the peak season. Room rent even in a three-star hotel is above RO 40 per night on a bed/breakfast option.

Tourists feel it is expensive for those on long-drives looking for a night halt. An official at the Ministry of Tourism said the government is also encouraging development of three- to four-star hotels and hotel apartments to offer affordable staying options for both foreign and domestic tourists who prefer to travel in groups or families.

“Currently, we do not have enough hotel rooms in the country and the issue of pricing is directly related to supply and demand. Room rates will come down if there is more supply in the market.”

A tour operator who organises desert safaris feels there should be tour plazas at strategic points with restaurants, restrooms and sleeping lodges at “decent rates”.

“Not everyone takes tour packages. These plazas will help avoid accidents at night,” said Abdullah al Balushi.

A popular spot like the Wadi Bani Khalid, which received 3,156 tourists from different countries, including 880 Asians, 206 Europeans, 52 Arab nationals and 28 from the GCC, needs better facilities.

The three- to five-star hotels received 1.1 million guests till the end of September 2017, while there was a 17-per cent surge (13 million) in total arrivals through airports until the end of October 2017, compared with the same period in the previous year.

Vinod Nair