RIYADH - Saudi Arabia threw open its doors to foreign tourists on Friday, launching a new visa regime for 49 countries and appealing to foreign companies to invest in a sector it hopes will contribute 10% of gross domestic product by 2030.
Tourism chief Ahmed al-Khateeb told Reuters in an interview ahead of the official announcement that abayas will not be mandatory for women tourists but modest dress is, including at public beaches. More details, including which countries are eligible, were expected later on Friday. Khateeb said China, Japan, Europe and the United States were among the top outbound targets.
The move is part of de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious plans to develop new industries to wean the world’s top oil exporter off crude and open up society including by introducing previously banned entertainment. Tourism is high on the crown prince’s agenda, despite a shortage of infrastructure. To drive growth, Khateeb estimated some 250 billion riyals of investments are needed, including 500,000 new hotel rooms by 2030 — half at government-backed mega projects and half from private investors.
stephenkalin Hard pass
stephenkalin Still wouldn't count on bikinis on the beaches.
stephenkalin I’ll stick with Southend..
stephenkalin KashoggiMurder
stephenkalin Blood splatters and Murderous dictator bone saws.
stephenkalin “Oh boy! You mean I can visit a desert country and NOT have to wear a sweltering, full head-to-toe black muumuu, but I’ll have to obey all the men there, and possibly end up assaulted for being an uppity foreign female?” Hard pass.
stephenkalin Who the fuck would even want to visit that criminal state ?
stephenkalin Great, that really makes me want to go. Oh wait, no it doesn't.
stephenkalin But it’ll cost you an arm & a leg...
stephenkalin The KSA has taken huge steps toward changes as in a very short period of time MBS has truly Delivered his views & promises in a very very short time, as looking back in history as Traditions & culture hold a huge obstacles in the face of direct changes, still you will find haters
stephenkalin Good move, this will bring millions of tourists from Asia and Europe
stephenkalin Saudi Arabia? No thanks.
stephenkalin I love my head , arms , and legs .
stephenkalin That’s a major pass from me.
stephenkalin
stephenkalin No thank you very much.
stephenkalin What about the Kashoggi rule? hard pass
stephenkalin Why is abaaya priority ?
stephenkalin I don't think I'll be going........
Desert & oil rigs...lol...dropping bombs on starving children...lol... Saudi Nationals committing 9/11. The Butcher Prince...no thanks
Cutting through red tape with a saw.
“Dodge drones, escape bone saws...& all this with no abaya. Exciting holiday packages with Arabian Tours & Travels.”
In other news, slaughterhouses ar now offering “pick your dinner” and “watch it happen” viewing rooms. Luxuriously appointed, this fresh new approach is seen as a way to make the killing process more consumer-friendly. Executed journalists and stoned wives available for a fee.
Hard pass. I have an aversion to bone saws, even if I don’t have to wear a veil.
On vacation in Saudi Arabia: What the bone saw.
Hard pass
Just watch out for beheadings and dismemberment. Can’t trust MBS as Khashogi (sp?) unfortunately found out. Saudi Arabia is not an ally
Oil runs out. Tourists are welcome.
Washington: The United States announced Thursday the deployment of 200 troops as well as Patriot missiles to Saudi Arabia to help the country’s defence in the wake of last month’s attacks on oil ,,,
Thanks,we got enough of that,we send you our army.
Nope. There’s no appeal in a country that murders journalists. SaudiArabia murder
Shame on you Reuters for spreading this kind of propaganda...
Are they going to show tourists beheadings and crucifixions?
Reuters = fake media It is mentioned that the tourists should comply to the public ethics of the country Nothing mentioned about abaya
With its misogynist and muderous habits, I'd suggest a big NO.
🇺🇸から押しつけられる🌽でエタノール作って、エタノールで走るクルマを作ったら、怒ります？ 怒りますよね？ …絶対に怒りますよね…？
Most foreign ladies visitors like to wear Abaya,, It is part of our islamic traditions and we are so proud of it.
Nobody is interested in going on holiday in a country with such a terrible human rights record.
Bad timing since talk of bombing Iran,...
Remembering JamalKhashoggi and the fact they tweeted out an image of a plane about to crash into the CN Tower here in Canada, Yah no thanks
If I can’t Drink alcohol, eat pork, watch porn or hold my wife’s hand in public I’m not interested.
no. i do not wish to visit the 'behead the insolent servant child' land.
Why haven’t western feminists never criticised the abaya and niqabs? They literally make women invisible.