Saudi Arabia Opens Country to Tourists
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Saudi Arabia Opens Country to Tourists
Saudi Arabia offers first tourist visas
Source:AFP Published: 2019/9/28 19:13:40
Saudi Arabia on Friday said it was offering tourist visas for the first time, opening up the ultra-conservative Islamic kingdom to holidaymakers as part of a push to diversify its economy away from oil.
The kingdom also eased its strict dress code for foreign women, allowing them to go without the body-shrouding abaya robe that is still mandatory public wear for Saudi women, as authorities open up one of the last frontiers of global tourism.
"We make history" today, tourism chief Ahmed al-Khateeb said before an official gala to mark the launch in Diriyah, a historical site near Riyadh.
"For the first time, we are opening our country to tourists from all over the world."
Citizens from 49 countries are eligible for online e-visas or visas on arrival, including the US, Australia and several European nations, the statement said.
Kickstarting tourism is one of the centerpieces of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 reform program to prepare the biggest Arab economy for a post-oil era.
Tourism authorities have repeatedly said that Saudi Arabia will not permit alcohol.
But Khateeb said there will be no restrictions on unaccompanied foreign women, who will also not be obliged to publicly wear an abaya although they will be expected to dress modestly.
Men and women must avoid "tight fitting clothing" or clothes with "profane language or images", read an instruction on an English language website launched by the tourism authority.
"Women should cover shoulders and knees in public," it said.
Visas in the desert kingdom, endowed with rich bedouin heritage and archaeological sites, had until now been restricted to expat workers, their dependents and the Muslim pilgrims travelling to Islam's holiest sites.
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1165796.shtml
Source:AFP Published: 2019/9/28 19:13:40
Saudi Arabia on Friday said it was offering tourist visas for the first time, opening up the ultra-conservative Islamic kingdom to holidaymakers as part of a push to diversify its economy away from oil.
The kingdom also eased its strict dress code for foreign women, allowing them to go without the body-shrouding abaya robe that is still mandatory public wear for Saudi women, as authorities open up one of the last frontiers of global tourism.
"We make history" today, tourism chief Ahmed al-Khateeb said before an official gala to mark the launch in Diriyah, a historical site near Riyadh.
"For the first time, we are opening our country to tourists from all over the world."
Citizens from 49 countries are eligible for online e-visas or visas on arrival, including the US, Australia and several European nations, the statement said.
Kickstarting tourism is one of the centerpieces of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 reform program to prepare the biggest Arab economy for a post-oil era.
Tourism authorities have repeatedly said that Saudi Arabia will not permit alcohol.
But Khateeb said there will be no restrictions on unaccompanied foreign women, who will also not be obliged to publicly wear an abaya although they will be expected to dress modestly.
Men and women must avoid "tight fitting clothing" or clothes with "profane language or images", read an instruction on an English language website launched by the tourism authority.
"Women should cover shoulders and knees in public," it said.
Visas in the desert kingdom, endowed with rich bedouin heritage and archaeological sites, had until now been restricted to expat workers, their dependents and the Muslim pilgrims travelling to Islam's holiest sites.
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1165796.shtml
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- Jerry Atrick
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Re: Saudi Arabia Opens Country to Tourists
Let's go to Jeddah for a Full Moon Party!
Messy afterparty at Gonk's gaf.
Messy afterparty at Gonk's gaf.
Re: Saudi Arabia Opens Country to Tourists
I had heard there could be certain difficulties getting visa and/or documents from the Embassies - as mentioned by Khashoggi's widow.
- frank lee bent
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Re: Saudi Arabia Opens Country to Tourists
you could attend a public crucifixion of a political prisoner....................
Re: Saudi Arabia Opens Country to Tourists
along with beheadings, hangings, stonings, lashings, eye gougings and firing squad.frank lee bent wrote: ↑Sat Sep 28, 2019 9:44 pm you could attend a public crucifixion of a political prisoner....................
Positive point #1 (if you can call it that) are up to 4 wives NOT INCLUDING Concubines (Unlimited)
Positive point #2 Divorce is easy - say "I divorce thee" 3 times and hey presto - nagging eliminated
Negatives : zero alcohol - expect 360 lashes. No eye candy. no talkling to the ladies in public - expect stoning. Sand
Re: Saudi Arabia Opens Country to Tourists
and you could also be a political prisonerfrank lee bent wrote: ↑Sat Sep 28, 2019 9:44 pm you could attend a public crucifixion of a political prisoner....................
- Kung-fu Hillbilly
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- Location: Behind you.
Re: Saudi Arabia Opens Country to Tourists
Will Saudi prince sex slave dungeon tours become available?
- Clutch Cargo
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Re: Saudi Arabia Opens Country to Tourists
I think I'll stay home instead and watch Lawrence of Arabia over a few cold ones..
-
- Expatriate
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Re: Saudi Arabia Opens Country to Tourists
I love the Saudi Tourist Authority's slogan
"Where you beheaded?"
"Where you beheaded?"
Re: Saudi Arabia Opens Country to Tourists
Re: Point #1 4 wives = four mother-in-law's (and all their families)Mishmash wrote: ↑Sat Sep 28, 2019 10:16 pmalong with beheadings, hangings, stonings, lashings, eye gougings and firing squad.frank lee bent wrote: ↑Sat Sep 28, 2019 9:44 pm you could attend a public crucifixion of a political prisoner....................
Positive point #1 (if you can call it that) are up to 4 wives NOT INCLUDING Concubines (Unlimited)
Positive point #2 Divorce is easy - say "I divorce thee" 3 times and hey presto - nagging eliminated
Negatives : zero alcohol - expect 360 lashes. No eye candy. no talkling to the ladies in public - expect stoning. Sand
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