Dammam Corniche draws visitors from afar

The Dammam Corniche is a popular attraction in the region, drawing visitors not only from the adjoining cities of Alkhobar, Dhahran and Jubail but also from the Saudi capital.
“The Dammam Corniche is popular because it has unique attractions like the picturesque boardwalk and a beautiful park with neatly manicured grass,” said Romy E. Galvez, executive secretary at Saudi Cement in Dammam.
It is not uncommon to see people at the Corniche gazing at the gleaming waves in the late afternoon sunshine as gulls fly by.
Galvez and his wife Ellen often go there for their early morning walk and at night during week days to take in the fresh air and while the time away.
“The visitors soak up the beauty of the Corniche which seems to transport them to another place and time,” said Galvez who worked in Riyadh for 21 years before coming to Dammam where he has been working for the past six years.
An additional attraction is the cruise around Murjan Island located at the end of the Corniche. A trip on a speed boat or cruise ship costs SR30.
“There are so many other attractions at the Dammam Corniche,” said Resureccion O. Ramos, a physician at the Dammam Medical Dispensary. “There’s a carnival which attracts the old and young alike and the lion and dolphin shows which children really enjoy,” she added.
Visitors can also visit the Marina Mall to shop. “You can find almost everything at the mall,” she said.
“There are restaurants, fast food chains and coffee shops in the area,” said Ramos who has been working at the hospital since 1999.
“Visitors are also careful not to leave any litter behind them,” she noted, adding that various groups like the Bantay at Kasangga ng OFW have also been conducting clean-up drives at the Corniche to maintain cleanliness.
Ramos, who received her medical degree from the Manila Central University-Filemon D. Tantioco Medical Foundation (MCU-FDTMF) in 1975, is the group’s health committee chairwoman.