A Travel and vacations forum. TravelBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » TravelBanter forum » Travel Regions » Europe
Site Map Home Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Saudi Arabia opens its doors to tourists



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old May 17th, 2006, 08:17 AM posted to rec.travel.europe
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Saudi Arabia opens its doors to tourists

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ma...ixtrvhome.html

Saudi Arabia opens its doors to tourists
By Teresa Machan (Filed: 13/05/2006)


Saudi Arabia hopes to attract a million visitors a year with the help
of a new tourism visa.


Eighteen approved tour operators in the kingdom have begun offering
visa services as part of a series of tourism initiatives announced last
week at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. The Saudi government is
also to begin issuing permits for tour guides from next month.

Until now, Saudi Arabia has been a place where people go to work rather
than play: the population of 24 million includes seven million foreign
workers, 24,000 of them Britisf nationals. Alcohol is banned, as is
photography of government buildings and palaces. Islamic principles and
social customs are strictly observed and the country adheres to Sharia
law, which allows corporal and capital punishment.

In line with its Middle Eastern neighbours, the Saudi government has
recognised the potential economic benefits of tourism as world oil
reserves dwindle.

Raed Habiss, managing director of one of the tour operators,
Destinations of the Kingdom, said Saudi Arabia was keen to attract
British visitors and would offer attractive rates to travel agents.

Among the first deals on offer was seven nights at a five-star hotel in
Jeddah, including guided tours, from £750 (excluding flights).

"It is a country of cultural and geographical diversity," Mr Habiss
said. "As well as coast, mountains and desert, we have spectacular
heritage sites, unexplored dive sites and theme parks designed by
Disney engineers." Wildlife includes the Arabian leopard and the oryx.

Hoteliers are also showing confidence in Saudi Arabia. Hilton has
chosen Jeddah for its first all-suite property, to open later this
month, and the Swiss chain Mövenpick has signed contracts for three
properties in the country, including a five-star hotel in Yanbu on the
Red Sea coast. The luxury American chain Rosewood is to open a third
hotel in Jeddah, which, in a first for the country, will have a
dedicated female floor staffed entirely by women.

Last month, Bmi began a three-times weekly service from Heathrow to
Jeddah to complement a similar service to Riyadh, launched last year. A
spokesman said there had been a steady increase in passengers using the
Riyadh service and similar traffic was expected to Jeddah.

A Saudi Arabian low-cost airline, Sama, is due to be launched this
summer.

Mr Habiss said that concerns over Saudi Arabia's less-than-favourable
image overseas were unfounded. "Saudi Arabia is part of the modern
world now. We cannot continue to be isolated. The Western perception is
different from the reality. Saudis are known for their hospitality, and
visitors who come will feel very differently."

Male and female visitors will have to cover up. Foreign females must
don the full-length abaya, and women under 40 must be accompanied by a
male relative.

A tourist visa can be issued as part of a package to groups of a
minimum four people.

No British tour operators have immediate plans to feature Saudi Arabia,
but Kuoni, which offers trips to Oman, Jordan, Lebanon and the UAE,
will wait to gauge demand.

  #2  
Old May 17th, 2006, 08:45 AM posted to rec.travel.europe
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Saudi Arabia opens its doors to tourists


"eetinBelgië" wrote

Saudi Arabia opens its doors to tourists
By Teresa Machan (Filed: 13/05/2006)

Saudi Arabia hopes to attract a million visitors a year with the help
of a new tourism visa.


Make that 999,999
Gerry


  #3  
Old May 17th, 2006, 09:59 AM posted to rec.travel.europe
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Saudi Arabia opens its doors to tourists


Dave Frightens Me wrote:

On 17 May 2006 00:17:28 -0700, "eetinBelgië"
wrote:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ma...ixtrvhome.html

Saudi Arabia opens its doors to tourists
By Teresa Machan (Filed: 13/05/2006)


In line with its Middle Eastern neighbours, the Saudi government has
recognised the potential economic benefits of tourism as world oil
reserves dwindle.


I am sure tourists will happily walk and swim there in droves when the
dwindling occurs.



"All in all, I'd rather be in Albania..."

--
Best
Greg

  #4  
Old May 17th, 2006, 11:03 AM posted to rec.travel.europe
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Saudi Arabia opens its doors to tourists

On 17 May 2006 00:17:28 -0700, "eetinBelgië"
wrote:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ma...ixtrvhome.html

Saudi Arabia opens its doors to tourists
By Teresa Machan (Filed: 13/05/2006)


In line with its Middle Eastern neighbours, the Saudi government has
recognised the potential economic benefits of tourism as world oil
reserves dwindle.


I am sure tourists will happily walk and swim there in droves when the
dwindling occurs.
--
---
DFM - http://www.deepfriedmars.com
---
--
  #5  
Old May 17th, 2006, 01:03 PM posted to rec.travel.europe
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Saudi Arabia opens its doors to tourists


Saudi Arabia opens its doors to tourists
By Teresa Machan (Filed: 13/05/2006)

Saudi Arabia hopes to attract a million visitors a year with the help
of a new tourism visa.


Make that 999,999
Gerry


Just male tourists? I can't think of a single female who would voluntarily
go there....






  #6  
Old May 17th, 2006, 01:41 PM posted to rec.travel.europe
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Saudi Arabia opens its doors to tourists

Following up to Dave Frightens Me

In line with its Middle Eastern neighbours, the Saudi government has
recognised the potential economic benefits of tourism as world oil
reserves dwindle.


I am sure tourists will happily walk and swim there in droves when the
dwindling occurs.


I wonder if they have thought of that?
--
Mike Reid
Walk-eat-photos UK "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" -- you can email us@ this site
Walk-eat-photos Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" -- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
  #7  
Old May 17th, 2006, 01:41 PM posted to rec.travel.europe
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Saudi Arabia opens its doors to tourists

Following up to Pat in TX

Just male tourists? I can't think of a single female who would voluntarily
go there....


Mecca must be impressive, tour of the shrine with my wife and a
few cool beers girl watching afterwards, just avoid the Haj, its
a bit of a crush I hear....why are you all shaking your heads?
--
Mike Reid
Walk-eat-photos UK "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" -- you can email us@ this site
Walk-eat-photos Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" -- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
  #8  
Old May 17th, 2006, 01:52 PM posted to rec.travel.europe
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Saudi Arabia opens its doors to tourists

Following up to Dave Frightens Me

I do, but they would likely change their minds after a bit of
learning...


Thesinger liked it, can we call one of the great travellers
wrong?
--
Mike Reid
Walk-eat-photos UK "http://www.fellwalk.co.uk" -- you can email us@ this site
Walk-eat-photos Spain "http://www.fell-walker.co.uk" -- dontuse@ all, it's a spamtrap
  #9  
Old May 17th, 2006, 01:57 PM posted to rec.travel.europe
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Saudi Arabia opens its doors to tourists

eetinBelgië schrieb:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ma...ixtrvhome.html

Saudi Arabia opens its doors to tourists
By Teresa Machan (Filed: 13/05/2006)


Saudi Arabia hopes to attract a million visitors a year with the help
of a new tourism visa.


Eighteen approved tour operators in the kingdom have begun offering
visa services as part of a series of tourism initiatives announced last
week at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. The Saudi government is
also to begin issuing permits for tour guides from next month.

Until now, Saudi Arabia has been a place where people go to work rather
than play: the population of 24 million includes seven million foreign
workers, 24,000 of them Britisf nationals. Alcohol is banned, as is
photography of government buildings and palaces. Islamic principles and
social customs are strictly observed and the country adheres to Sharia
law, which allows corporal and capital punishment.

In line with its Middle Eastern neighbours, the Saudi government has
recognised the potential economic benefits of tourism as world oil
reserves dwindle.


Isn't it interesting that the countries with the largest oil reserves
are the ones that are planning for a future without oil, while the rest
of the world blunders onwards as if there were tomorrow.


T.


Raed Habiss, managing director of one of the tour operators,
Destinations of the Kingdom, said Saudi Arabia was keen to attract
British visitors and would offer attractive rates to travel agents.

Among the first deals on offer was seven nights at a five-star hotel in
Jeddah, including guided tours, from £750 (excluding flights).


I've been told that the Red Sea near Jeddah has some of the world's
finest scuba diving locations- up till now virtually inaccessible.


"It is a country of cultural and geographical diversity," Mr Habiss
said. "As well as coast, mountains and desert, we have spectacular
heritage sites, unexplored dive sites and theme parks designed by
Disney engineers." Wildlife includes the Arabian leopard and the oryx.

Hoteliers are also showing confidence in Saudi Arabia. Hilton has
chosen Jeddah for its first all-suite property, to open later this
month, and the Swiss chain Mövenpick has signed contracts for three
properties in the country, including a five-star hotel in Yanbu on the
Red Sea coast. The luxury American chain Rosewood is to open a third
hotel in Jeddah, which, in a first for the country, will have a
dedicated female floor staffed entirely by women.

Last month, Bmi began a three-times weekly service from Heathrow to
Jeddah to complement a similar service to Riyadh, launched last year. A
spokesman said there had been a steady increase in passengers using the
Riyadh service and similar traffic was expected to Jeddah.

A Saudi Arabian low-cost airline, Sama, is due to be launched this
summer.

Mr Habiss said that concerns over Saudi Arabia's less-than-favourable
image overseas were unfounded. "Saudi Arabia is part of the modern
world now. We cannot continue to be isolated. The Western perception is
different from the reality. Saudis are known for their hospitality, and
visitors who come will feel very differently."

Male and female visitors will have to cover up. Foreign females must
don the full-length abaya, and women under 40 must be accompanied by a
male relative.

A tourist visa can be issued as part of a package to groups of a
minimum four people.

No British tour operators have immediate plans to feature Saudi Arabia,
but Kuoni, which offers trips to Oman, Jordan, Lebanon and the UAE,
will wait to gauge demand.

  #10  
Old May 17th, 2006, 02:00 PM posted to rec.travel.europe
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Saudi Arabia opens its doors to tourists

The Reid writes:

Following up to Dave Frightens Me

I do, but they would likely change their minds after a bit of
learning...


Thesinger liked it, can we call one of the great travellers
wrong?


Can we call her opinions past their use-by date? Yes we can!

Des
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Farangs describe the Disaster to BBC [email protected] Asia 62 December 31st, 2004 06:34 PM
Inbound tourists advised to cancel trips to Thailand [email protected] Asia 0 December 27th, 2004 09:29 PM
US fingerprint & photograph all foreign visitors except those on visa waiver Howard Long Air travel 70 January 12th, 2004 12:23 AM
Saudi Police Foil Airliner Attack Fly Guy Air travel 1 December 31st, 2003 05:20 AM
U.S. Urges Citizens to Leave Saudi Arabia Meghan Powers Air travel 2 December 18th, 2003 05:18 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 04:58 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 TravelBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.