أهمية شبكات الطرق في التنمية السياحية لشاطئ العقير بالمنطقة الشرقية من المملكة العربية السعودية

Abstract EN

This research concentrates upon “exploring” the area ofAl’uqayr Beach1’؛ دس the importance of surrounding road networks to the restoration ofthat area to be an attractive tourist area heeded by tourists from all over the Kingdom, espec؛a؛ly Eastern Province and Riyadh Province because of its adjacent locations.

Although Al’uqayr Beach Area has many features in terms of natural topology and gorgeous sandy beaches that are suitable for swimming, in addition to the historical significance ofAl’uqayr؛ yet it did not receive enough attention from resrarchers.

Thus, this research came as an attempt to document the اسه findings ofAl’uqayr Beach Area, mainly to present the status ofthe transportation roads that connect to the area since the availability ofa robust and high level connectivity and accessibility transportation system is vital for successful tourism development.

The objective of this research is ،0 observe the subsistence of tourism and its abilities ه impediments in Al’uqayr Beach Area, as well as to>emphasis the importance of infrastructure projects - especially transportation networks - for developing tourism in the area.

As such, this research will concentrate on three main issues: (١) Geographical study of Al’uqayr Beach Area, (2) Study of the state of road ne^orks connecting to the area, and (ئ) Study of the demographical, social, and economical characteristics of tourists who commute frequently to the beach, as well as the characteristics of their tourist trips, travel means ه transportation modes.

This was done through analyses of questionnaires distributed to tourists to discover their opinions.

The objective was to find conclusions and deliver recommendations to activate the tourism role of the beach, and to contribute in discovering the planning and investment indicators which we hope will help decision makers to develop Al’uqayr Beach Area.

To achieve the objectives ofthe research, this study will adopt the scientific approach that depends upon several means, such as the analytical descriptive methodology and objective style which depends on inductive deductive approach, with employing quantitative methods and statistical manipulations methods by utilizing computer statistical package.

٢١١ According to the structure plan آه Tourism Development Area (TDA) in the Kingdom which has been prepay by The Supreme Commission for Tourism, forty one TDA have been identified, one of them is Al’uqayr Beach Area.

Thus, we call Al’uqayr Beach as an area, not as an administrated area.