Sun, Sand, Religious Police: Holidays in Saudi May Be Hard Sell
- Kingdom’s post-oil plan includes cautious opening to tourists
- State, private investment is picking up; visa barrier remains
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It’s the day before the grand opening of Shaden, a luxury desert camp in Saudi Arabia where air-conditioned tents look out on sandstone cliffs. A princely delegation is on its way. But the place isn’t quite ready.
Peacocks for the garden of the 10,000-riyals-a-night royal suite haven’t arrived. The cow brought in to provide fresh milk for the cafe has been mooing all night. It “won’t shut up,” laments Ahmed Al Said, the project developer, as he gives orders over the clang of hammers and shovels.