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Saudi Arabia Opens Kingdom to Foreign Tourists
Wall Street Journal ^ | September 27, 2019 | Donna Abdulaziz

Posted on 09/27/2019 9:33:38 AM PDT by C19fan

Saudi Arabia is opening the ultraconservative kingdom to tourists for the first time, easing restrictions for foreign visitors as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s initiative to diversify the oil-dependent economy.

Visas had been restricted to Muslim pilgrims, and business and diplomatic visitors, but on Friday the kingdom said its new online visa portal would be open to visitors from 49 countries, including the U.S and major European and Asian countries.

“Opening Saudi Arabia to international tourists is a historic moment for our country,” said Ahmad al-Khateeb, chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage.

(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Travel
KEYWORDS: saudi; saudiarabia; tourists
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To: bgill

Are there tourist attractions in Saudi Arabia? Beaches, resorts, where westerners won’t have to obey restrictive Saudi dress codes and behavior laws?

I understand that Mecca itself is off limits to non-Muslims, and that entry to that city is restricted. It might be interesting to see the Kaaba stone or other such religious sites, but if non-Muslims are banned, then no way to make any tourist income from that.


21 posted on 09/27/2019 10:06:00 AM PDT by Dilbert San Diego
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To: Bob434

I think I would rather have a colonoscopy...


22 posted on 09/27/2019 10:10:11 AM PDT by American in Israel (A wise man's heart directs him to the right, but the foolish mans heart directs him toward the left.)
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To: American in Israel

Ha ha


23 posted on 09/27/2019 10:12:39 AM PDT by gcparent (Justice Brett Kavanaugh)
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To: Pearls Before Swine

Before Kashoggi he imprisoned and brought a lot of big wig princes to heel. Confiscated what claimed was ill-gotten wealth. That I guess was step 1. He survived that.
Next Kashoggi step 2 or Step 1a. I am sure there are a lot of steps left. And at each step he could lose & be overthrown!

He didn’t say it would be pretty!


24 posted on 09/27/2019 10:12:56 AM PDT by Reily
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To: Dilbert San Diego

I’m certainly not interested in visiting.


25 posted on 09/27/2019 10:22:42 AM PDT by bgill
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To: C19fan

Saudi Arabia Opens Kingdom to Foreign Tourists to become Houthi Drone Targets
there fixed it


26 posted on 09/27/2019 10:23:14 AM PDT by bunkerhill7
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To: C19fan

What would motivate Western tourists to visit Saudi Arabia? Mosques and sand as far as they eye can see. Oh boy!


27 posted on 09/27/2019 10:32:06 AM PDT by Liberal Anti Venom (In a free society, the last refuge of a moron is tyranny. ~Jeremy Egerer~)
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To: C19fan

RE: Saudi Arabia Opens Kingdom to Foreign Tourists

Are women allowed to show their legs like they do in Dubai?


28 posted on 09/27/2019 10:47:32 AM PDT by SeekAndFind (look at Michigan, it will)
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To: C19fan

So, I wonder if it was a Presidential phone call from Trump telling them to open up to visitors or he would withold some fighter jets..


29 posted on 09/27/2019 10:58:28 AM PDT by rovenstinez
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To: Leaning Right
Will beatings by the religious police be part of the standard tourist package?

No, that requires an upgrade.

30 posted on 09/27/2019 11:37:09 AM PDT by gogeo (The left prides themselves on being tolerant, but they can't even be civil.)
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To: C19fan

No thanks. I’ll pass.

My idea of an enjoyable vacation doesn’t include having to wear a black garbage bag over my head and body.


31 posted on 09/27/2019 2:19:22 PM PDT by CrimsonTidegirl
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To: rlmorel

Heh, I also misread the headline in the same way.


32 posted on 09/27/2019 2:22:03 PM PDT by CrimsonTidegirl
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