Saudi Arabia unveils ambitious plans for tourism revolution – but would you travel there?

Saudi Arabia has announced plans to create a tourism hotspot nearly twice the size of Wales on its unspoilt Red Sea coastline, in a bid to help double the number of visitors to the Middle Eastern country. The Kingdom has also indicated that it is prepared to relax its strict laws, such as bans on drinking alcohol, to entice more western holidaymakers. An official statement explained that the transformed area will cover some 34,000 square kilometres between the cities of Umluf and Alwajh, including its 50 islands, and be governed by laws “on par with international standards”.

One document referred to the area as “semi-autonomous” and said it would be governed by “independent laws and a regulatory framework developed and managed by a private committee”, according to Bloomberg. Saudi Arabia currently welcomes few British visitors. The Kingdom is renowned for its stringent enforcement of Islamic law, its codes of behaviour and dress, and severe penalties for homosexuality, extra-marital sexual relations and possession of alcohol.

The Foreign Office warns Britons that suspects can be held without charge without access to legal representation, while female travellers are warned they must meet their “sponsor” on arrival into the country.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/middle-east/saudi-arabia/articles/saudi-arabia-red-sea-project-tourism-resort/

Also been there...Oakland is more scenic.

I would never go there...