Come and check out Saudi Arabia!

In a new, and positive, development, Saudi Arabia is now issuing non-religious toruist visas. This means that people who are interested in coming to the country for purposes other than business or Hajj can finally visit the country. And yes, we do have things to offer to the world: Historical sites, natural sceneries, gorgeous beaches, entrainment resorts, local architecture (whatever left of it) and many shopping venues.

First, start with my city: Jeddah

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Comments

[raf*]

dear aya,

saudi arabia has been allowing "tourists" into the country for a while now - through the "saudia airlines" tourism package program. tourists could only visit in organized groups, though - similar to the way it used to be in the soviet union or is (again) in libya (& i'm sure in some other countries as well ...).

the big question is if there will now be change in policy towards allowing individual travelers to just come to k.s.a. & travel around without any mandatory offical guide accompanying them.

the article does not mention that & frankly, i don't think that's what the tourism commission has in mind.

still ... who knows.

--raf*

[Mysterious]

nice blog, strong statements you have, i personally enjoyed the 'hijab' and sami youssef's positive approach...oh and jeddah :) my fav.

[Abu-Joori]

Well.. I was talking about this with a friend about an hour ago!.

I think we have things that others would like to see.. in addition to the closed door policy we had before so opening the door now will attract people!. Yet, we need to have so many things to make this work and create the tourist industry in Saudi Arabia.. things like better and less expensive hotels, better streets given the fact that streets in Riyadh and Jeddah are so crazy almost all over the year, and most importantly .. the attitude and right treatement of our "new" guests!.

Will wait and see :)

[raf*]

dear aya,

this a.f.p. story validates my suspicion - there will not be any "running around the country" of tourists:

"And another twist that is also likely to keep Saudi Arabia from becoming the next hot destination, is the fact tourists will only be allowed to come in via licensed tour operators."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060506/wl_mideast_afp/sauditourism_060506184043

of course - that's muchmuch better than the current situation.

--raf*

[Spyder Jackets]

I couldn't quite see what the fuss about One Day was. It read like well written chick lit to me, nothing wrong with that, I know, but by the time I got to it post the hype and the word of mouth I was expecting something more. The film looks like excellent airplane fodder- I'll be there with my moth eaten cashmere blanket and anti-thrombosis socks - ooh I'm quite looking forward to it.

[Spyder Jackets]

I couldn't quite see what the fuss about One Day was. It read like well written chick lit to me, nothing wrong with that, I know, but by the time I got to it post the hype and the word of mouth I was expecting something more. The film looks like excellent airplane fodder- I'll be there with my moth eaten cashmere blanket and anti-thrombosis socks - ooh I'm quite looking forward to it.