The New Ibiza… Isn't Saudi Arabia

Saudi authorities backtracked from a statement posted on their official tourism website last week barring 'Jewish people' from getting new tourist visas, telling the Guardian this week that official policy is not to discriminate on religious grounds.

The site correction, however, was noticeably less than apologetic, baldy stating 'when erroneous information was noticed on SCT's (Saudi Commission for Tourism) website, it was removed. SCT regrets any inconvenience this may have caused.'

The Saudi Tourist board also removed text on ultra strict dress code rules and certain guidelines for women though kept up lots of other quirky data, such as some handy guidelines for dining out with locals.

"If you are invited to go out for dinner by a Saudi, it is customary for the person who invited you to pay for the dinner," the website advises.

"If there are both male and female guests, it is customary to have a separate reception room and dining room for men and women."

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• saudi arabia