Al-Riyadh newspaper

I met Prince Sultan Bin Salman many years ago. I found in his character the love for discovery. This was what led him later to space, as the first Arab Muslim astronaut.

His love for discovery was not limited to the edge of space. He turned his attention to undiscovered treasures in his country and decided to explore them. Today his great journey to the archaeological sites in our country, which were in desperate need of attention, has resulted in a long list of famous tourism and archaeological locations. Saudi tourists who for many years explored world archaeological sites thinking that there was nothing like them in their own country can now visit these archaeological sites.

Prince Sultan explored the treasures of Saudi Arabia that have existed for many centuries, and as a result our country is now on its way to becoming a tourism destination.

However, we are now asking for even more from Prince Sultan. In the same way that he helped make the Kingdom a destination for tourists, I wish that he would turn his attention to the case of Saudi tourists abroad.

I am sure that many Saudis have felt the difference in the treatment a Saudi tourist receives when he is in neighboring Arab countries, a treatment that is different from the citizens of that country, whether it is treatment at hotels or at local hospitals.

I do not want to describe this way of treatment because the words would be inappropriate. Let’s just say that Saudis are treated differently. Why? I do not know. However, I think that it is important to negotiate with the tourism authorities in these countries rather than trying to find the reasons why Saudis are targeted and treated differently.

We believe that Saudi tourists should be treated equally and not differently when it comes to services. They should not be overcharged and treated in an unacceptable way.