by ABEER ALLAM
As the kingdom aspires to diversify from oil and create a viable non-religious tourism industry, however, Saudi officials face two challenges. The first is to persuade outsiders of the country’s safety and physical merits; and the second is to “convert to tourism” local people wary of perceived moral and cultural corruption.
Although the holy cities of Mecca and Medina have been receiving Muslim pilgrims for more than 1,400 years, the rest of the country has been all but closed to pilgrims, western tourists and expatriates alike. But in recent years, that has gradually changed.
Financial Times for more
(Thanks to reader)