Tourism chief Ahmed al-Khateeb told Reuters in an interview ahead of the official announcement that abayas will not be mandatory but modest dress covering shoulders and knees is, including at public beaches.He indicated that alcohol remains banned: “We will have enough tourists to come to Saudi Arabia to enjoy other things.”
Until now, foreigners travelling to Saudi Arabia have been largely restricted to resident workers and their dependents, business travellers, and Muslim pilgrims who are given special visas to visit the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Many of his reforms received international praise, but his image has been tarnished by last year’s murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the arrest of critics including prominent women activists, and a devastating war in Yemen.Tensions with arch-rival Iran have also flared. Riyadh blames Tehran for an attack earlier this month on Saudi oil facilities, which Iran denies.
The government signed memoranda of understanding totalling around 100 billion riyals with regional and international investors including conglomerate Triple Five and UAE-based developer Majid Al Futtaim.
globebusiness Good for those who want to beat their wives or smoke the Arabian equivalent of pot. Just be careful not to go into an other's pocket as they are quite strict of that sort of thing as should be. Everybody seems to need money in the age of anti-globalism and new trade barriers. .
globebusiness Sounds like a fun time to get stoned or kidnapped
globebusiness Shall tourists bring their own bone-saws just in case? JamalKhashoggi Never forget their message to Canada
globebusiness No thanks