Tom Peel schrieb:

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.

They need some oil fopr the air travel. However, it's not Europe.

Regards & f'up2, ULF