Culture and Tourism in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Until recently, tourism was not a proper Muslim activity. First, most Muslims and Muslim countries are poor. Second, tourism is widely misinterpreted as a waste of precious time that should be spent in pleasing Allah (God). Yet, changes take place as modernization diffuses into Muslim societies, and Saudi Arabia provides a good example. With rapid urbanization and increased per capita income, the attitude of Saudis toward tourism is changing. Although still influenced greatly by Islam, tourism has begun to leave imprints on the cultural landscape.