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Everyday Chirp Follow Saudi Arabia Opens its Doors to LGBTQ Tourists Story by Chelsea Kirrily • 1h ago In a bid to attract more visitors, Saudi Arabia appears to be extending a welcome to the LGBTQ community, a demographic with considerable spending power in the tourism industry. The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) has seemingly updated its website’s Q&A section, stating that gay tourists are welcome in the country. The website now states, “Everyone is welcome to visit Saudi Arabia, and visitors are not asked to disclose such personal details,” in response to the question “Are LGBT visitors welcome to visit Saudi Arabia?” on its FAQ page. The exact date of this update remains unclear, and while an STA spokesperson confirmed that the policy was previously in place, there is no mention of it in archived versions of the website from March 14, 2023, or earlier. Still frowned upon Same-sex sexual activity is still considered an offense in Saudi Arabia, according to Human Rights Watch. The Human Dignity Trust, an organization advocating for LGBT rights worldwide, reports that trans individuals can also face legal consequences in Saudi Arabia, with evidence of enforcement and consistent accounts of discrimination and violence against LGBTQ people. Darren Burn, CEO of Out Of Office and Travel Gay, notes that LGBTQ+ travelers are a significant market, as they tend to spend more money and travel more frequently than heterosexual couples. Vistors, however, welcomed However, whether LGBTQ travelers will feel at ease visiting Saudi Arabia remains uncertain. While destinations like the Maldives and Dubai, where homosexuality is criminalized, are popular, Saudi Arabia might need to provide more guarantees to attract LGBTQ tourists. Burn believes that the updated website is a good starting point but lacks the assurances necessary for LGBTQ travelers to feel safe. He suggests that countries need to invest in promoting LGBTQ-friendly policies and experiences to become genuinely appealing destinations. One anonymous gay traveler who visited Saudi Arabia before the website update shared that, despite feeling “in the closet” during his stay, he found the Saudi people to be friendly and open to change. However, he also expressed concerns about the difference between the official position and the reality on the ground. An attempt to appeal to tourists Human rights researcher Nora Noralla suggests that Saudi Arabia is following the example of Qatar and Dubai, trying to appeal to LGBTQ+ travelers but only on certain terms. Noralla warns that this approach may only apply to “rich tourists” and that the same privileges may not extend to others, depending on their economic and social background. Despite his reservations, Burn believes Saudi Arabia has the potential to become a gay-friendly destination. He emphasizes that travel can help change mindsets on both sides and break down barriers, as long as it can be done safely. An STA spokesperson stated, “Everyone is welcome to visit Saudi, provided that they follow and respect our culture, traditions, and laws, as you would when you visit any other country in the world,” and added that the government does not ask visitors personal questions and respects their privacy. Final thoughts In conclusion, Saudi Arabia’s recent move to attract LGBTQ travelers signifies a considerable shift in their tourism strategy, balancing tradition with modernity. This development is being watched with cautious optimism by industry experts, who highlight the need for safety assurances and genuine inclusivity. The Kingdom’s journey towards becoming a fully welcoming destination for all travellers, irrespective of their identity, is still underway. Future efforts need to address existing legal and societal barriers to ensure that the transformation is not only surface-deep but also deeply rooted in respect and equality for all.
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Hi Everyone I have a few questions regarding living in the west (particularly Canada): 1) How do you ensure that you don't fall into difficulty in following Islamic values/teachings? I know its very broad, but I am just looking for some general tips based on your experiences. Of course, specific tips and tricks would be great as well: 'Bulk-up chicken from a halal grocery store if you live far away' , for example. 2) More importantly, how do you ensure that kids have the correct Islamic values inculcated in them? Esp. considering how many schools over there have become - from what I have gathered - rampant propaganda-machines, thrusting down LGBTQ and what-not down the throats of innocent kids. 3) What are some of the major cities where there's a large Shia population? Does it matter? Would you recommend staying away from less-well known provinces like Saskatchewan/Prince Edward etc.. Thanks all
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