FILE PHOTO: A Saudi tour guide stands inside a tomb at Madain Saleh antiquities site, al-Ula, Saudi Arabia February 10, 2019. Picture taken February 10, 2019. REUTERS/Stephen Kalin/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A Saudi tour guide stands inside a tomb at Madain Saleh antiquities site, al-Ula, Saudi Arabia February 10, 2019. Picture taken February 10, 2019. REUTERS/Stephen Kalin/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A Saudi tour guide stands inside a tomb at Madain Saleh antiquities site, al-Ula, Saudi Arabia February 10, 2019. Picture taken February 10, 2019. REUTERS/Stephen Kalin/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A Saudi tour guide stands inside a tomb at Madain Saleh antiquities site, al-Ula, Saudi Arabia February 10, 2019. Picture taken February 10, 2019. REUTERS/Stephen Kalin/File Photo

Saudi tourism will open a treasure trove


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In just a couple of years, Saudi Arabia has made immense strides to instigate a series of reforms and opening up to the world. On World Tourism Day on Friday, the country took yet another step in that direction, with Riyadh announcing that it will open the gates for people from 49 countries to apply for three-month tourist visas. Included will be unaccompanied women over the age of 24, who will be able to travel freely without guardians and with a less restrictive dress code.

In a previously conservative Kingdom that often appeared distant to much of the world, these are groundbreaking steps, in line with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's dynamic Vision 2030. At the heart of the reforms, which include billions being pumped into the entertainment sector and the relaxation of laws relating to women and guardianship, is a plan to diversify from an oil-dependent economy and welcome tourists, who currently account for 3 per cent of the country's gross domestic product but it is hoped will make up 10 per cent of GDP by 2030.

History, religion and heritage are the bedrocks of Saudi society. As the birthplace of Prophet Mohammed and with Makkah and Madinah, Islam’s two holiest cities, within its borders, Saudi Arabia welcomes millions of pilgrims every year. Until now, there have been few visitors without religious or familial ties to the country. Thus to the outside world, Saudi Arabia’s rich culture and its historical sites dating back tens of thousands of years have remained a mystery.

The world will now have a chance to marvel not only at Saudi Arabia’s religious monuments but its ancient wonders. They include five Unesco world heritage sites, such as Madain Saleh in the Hejaz province, a former colony that stands testament to the grandeur of the Nabateans, who lived in the region and also built rose-tinted Petra in Jordan, until the Romans swept them out of power in 106AD. Their 111 stunningly decorated sandstone tombs carved into colossal rock formations still stand proud, 2,000 years on. Then there is the intricate Neolithic rock art found in the northern region of Hail, dating back 10,000 years, and the remnants of an ancient port city in the heart of modern-day Jeddah. The city’s singular architecture dates back to the 7th century AD and reflects a construction style once common to cities on both sides of the Red Sea. Today, well-preserved ruins relating to this architectural heritage are rarely found outside the Kingdom.

In addition to its cultural legacy, the country is looking to expand its horizons and open up to luxury visitors with tourist hotspots such as the Red Sea Project, an eco-friendly complex with white sandy beaches reminiscent of the Maldives, due to be completed in 2022.

Sports fans have already gotten a glimpse of the increasingly diverse scope of events that the country can host. The Kingdom has been hosting WWE wrestling events since 2014 and in December, it is preparing to host the rematch between boxing champions Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz. The construction of Qiddiya entertainment city near Riyadh has already begun and will include a theme park, motorsport facilities and a safari area.

Whether they are looking for a history tour of a pivotal spot in the Arabian Peninsula, entertainment or a luxury getaway, Saudi Arabia remains uncharted and exciting new territory for the adventurous visitor. Enabling more people to visit from diverse backgrounds will allow little-known wonders to be appreciated. In an age of social media, it won’t take long for the word to spread that Saudi Arabia is waiting to be discovered.

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ARABIAN GULF LEAGUE FIXTURES

Thursday, September 21
Al Dahfra v Sharjah (kick-off 5.35pm)
Al Wasl v Emirates (8.30pm)

Friday, September 22
Dibba v Al Jazira (5.25pm)
Al Nasr v Al Wahda (8.30pm)

Saturday, September 23
Hatta v Al Ain (5.25pm)
Ajman v Shabab Al Ahli (8.30pm)

ENGLAND SQUAD

Goalkeepers Henderson, Pickford, Pope.

Defenders Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell, Coady, Dier, Gomez, Keane, Maguire, Maitland-Niles, Mings, Saka, Trippier, Walker.

Midfielders Henderson, Mount, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse, Winks.

Forwards Abraham, Barnes, Calvert-Lewin, Grealish, Ings, Kane, Rashford, Sancho, Sterling.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Lowdown

Us

Director: Jordan Peele

Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseqph, Evan Alex and Elisabeth Moss

Rating: 4/5

Thank You for Banking with Us

Director: Laila Abbas

Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum

Rating: 4/5

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Types of bank fraud

1) Phishing

Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.

2) Smishing

The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.

3) Vishing

The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.

4) SIM swap

Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.

5) Identity theft

Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.

6) Prize scams

Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.

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WWE TLC results

Asuka won the SmackDown Women's title in a TLC triple threat with Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair

Dean Ambrose won the Intercontinental title against Seth Rollins

Daniel Bryan retained the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against AJ Styles

Ronda Rousey retained the Raw Women's Championship against Nia Jax

Rey Mysterio beat Randy Orton in a chairs match

Finn Balor defeated Drew McIntyre

Natalya beat Ruby Riott in a tables match

Braun Strowman beat Baron Corbin in a TLC match

Sheamus and Cesaro retained the SmackDown Tag Titles against The Usos and New Day

R-Truth and Carmella won the Mixed Match Challenge by beating Jinder Mahal and Alicia Fox