KSA: Tourist Visas Next Year

Saudi Arabia will issue tourist entry visas as early as Feb. 2006 in a bid to open up the market. There will be different visas though: a hajj tourist visa for muslim pilgrims and a 'tourist only' visa for non-muslim visitors (presumably restricting their movement in the country). Women, whether 'investors' or 'tourists' will need a male saudi sponsor. Eh... if this isn't a way to guarantee that all female visitors meets at least one Saudi man, it is to protect cultural values because the ministry official speaking also praise God that although the country's youth has been studying abroad they haven't been corrupted. Eh... I don't know what they are doing these days but it wasn't religion the Saudi guys at my college were bending over to and it is certainly not prayers the holidaymakers are uttering in the Cairo Marriot hotel's garden this evening. Anyway, I'll be the first to apply for a visa with a male Saudi companion {smile}