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Seit zwei Wochen stellt Saudi Arabien erstmals Visa für Touristen aus Österreich aus. Insgesamt bietet Saudi Arabien Besuchern eine diverse Landschaft, von Wüsten, Stränden bis hin zu schneebedeckten Bergen. Während der Zugang zu den beiden muslimisch heiligen Stätten Mekka und Medina Nicht-Muslimen nach wie vor verboten ist, beherbergt Saudi Arabien darüber hinaus fünf UNESCO Weltkulturerbestätten. Seine königliche Hoheit Prinz Abdullah bin Khalid bin Sultan Al Saud, der saudische Botschafter in Wien sagt über diese potentiellen Tourismusziele:

„Most people are familiar with our rich Islamic history, holy sites and sweeping sand dunes, but few are aware of the extraordinary country that has been off limits to most visitors for centuries. Two weeks ago for the first time in our history, we opened up our nation for tourists from all over the world. Saudi is home to five UNESCO world heritage sites. At-Turaif District in ad-Dir'iyah, the first Saudi state, was born almost 300 years ago and is an authentic testimony to the unique architecture of Najdi people. Sand colored buildings, mosques and palaces are dotted along the banks of the picturesque valley. The Gate to Mecca in Jeddah is another example of stunning traditional architecture of the time. This time the Hajjastic style, made up of perfectly preserved corral stone and tower houses, mosques, suqs and small public squares, reflect the vibrancy and vitality since the seventh century. Some of you may have seen photos of the ancient desert city  Madâin Sâlih and confused it with Petra. But the Saudi site of the Nabataean civilization is far bigger than its sister city Petra with 111 ornate monumental tombs that also feature Greek triangles, Roman pedestals, Persian flowers and Egyptian sphinx and birds...