Saudi Arabia wants to be top beach vacation destination

[Right_in_Virginia]

Saudi Arabia wants to be top beach vacation destination
CNN Money, Aug 2, 2017

The oil-rich country is planning an ambitious overhaul of its tourism industry that includes constructing resorts on about 100 miles of sandy coastline.

The Red Sea Project will be completed by 2022, according to a statement from the country's sovereign wealth fund.

The sprawling project will cover 34,000 square kilometers (13,100 square miles) across a lagoon of 50 "untouched natural islands." It will include resorts, hotels and other residential units that will allow travelers easy access to scuba diving and rock climbing.

It's the first major tourism project announced by Saudi Arabia since it launched Vision 2030 -- a plan to diversify the country's economy and end its dependence on oil. The country already has experience with religious tourism, welcoming millions of pilgrims each year to Islam's holiest site in Mecca.

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The project's appeal to foreign tourists may be limited if the country's rules on alcohol consumption and attire are applied.

The investment fund's statement said the Red Sea Project would be considered a "private zone" that is "governed by independent laws" on par with "international standards."


More:  http://money.cnn.com/2017/08/02/news/saudi-arabia-beach-vacation/index.html?iid=surge-grid-dom

[Right_in_Virginia]

Mohammed bin Salman (newly designated as next in line to the throne) is young and very supportive of Vision 2030.  He appears to be rather hellbent on expanding SA's economy beyond oil and into the 21st Century.

[dfwgator]

What's the point if women can't wear bikinis?

[Right_in_Virginia]

What's the point if women can't wear bikinis?

You must have missed this part ....   ^-^

The investment fund's statement said the Red Sea Project would be considered a "private zone" that is "governed by independent laws" on par with "international standards."

@dfwgator

[TomSea]

Until there is an end to terrorism, I would advise not going to these beaches with the record of terror attacks on beaches in Egypt and Tunisia. I'm not sure how Saudi Arabia's beaches might be.  Why haven't they been developed previously? Without the obvious answer, because they had plenty of oil money, well, they've built up shops around Mecca already.

[RoosGirl]

Come on in, the water is fine!

[IsailedawayfromFR]

They got sand and sun for sure.

They do not have anything else interesting to me.

[thackney]

I picture:

[Wingnut]

Come on in, the water is fine!

I like my women to not wear full body condoms.

[RoosGirl]

I like my women to not wear full body condoms.

Since you previously said you only wash every few days, can you blame them though?

[Wingnut]

Since you previously said you only wash every few days, can you blame them though?

Every two weeks.

[RoosGirl]

Every two weeks.

Oh yeah, totally wearing the full body condom. :)

[Right_in_Virginia]

Mohammed bin Salman (newly designated as next in line to the throne) is young and very supportive of Vision 2030.  He appears to be rather hellbent on expanding SA's economy beyond oil and into the 21st Century.

Just returning for a moment to the important point made in the article .....

Now, carry on.   ^-^

[Millee]

"Muslim tourists do want destinations that fit their requirements," said Olivier Jager, CEO of travel intelligence firm ForwardKeys. "A growing middle class in Muslim countries are likely to be interested in a new destination that is truly able to meet their specific needs."

 Think I'll pass, thanks.   :nometalk:

[IsailedawayfromFR]

Mohammed bin Salman (newly designated as next in line to the throne) is young and very supportive of Vision 2030.  He appears to be rather hellbent on expanding SA's economy beyond oil and into the 21st Century.

Wonder if that 'vision' will embrace invites to the LBGT crowd.  I understand they have money to spare.