General Travel News
Saudi Domestic Tourism Growth Continues
Domestic tourism in Saudi Arabia has grown over the past few years due to infrastructure improvements and increased mobility among its growing population. The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) reported that 37.5 billion Riyals was spent on domestic tourism during the past year. This added 47.5 billion Riyals to the countries Gross Domestic Product during the year. Last year the tourism sector accounted for 6.9 per cent of non-oil GDP.
Director General for Information and Research at SCTA, Dr. Mohammed Al Ahmad reported that the number of people working in the Kingdom’s tourism sector increased from 3,355,200 in 2004 to 4,456, 200 in 2008. However, the occupancy rate fell from 59.5% in January of this year to 56.6% in February.
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The Desert Islands
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Around a two and a half hour drive off the western coast of Abu Dhabi lays the Arabian Gulf’s world of splendor: the Desert Islands - a collection of eight islands embracing startling landscapes, adventure and natural beauty. Desert Islands, or Jozor Al Sahra’a as it is known in Arabic, consist of Sir Bani Yas Island, Dalma Island and six Discovery Islands. Bani Yas Island: On Sir Bani Y...
Roman Beirut
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The Roman city of Beirut met a traumatic end in the sixth century after a series of devastating earthquakes. As a result, there is little evidence of the city’s glorious Roman period. What little remains are concentrated Downtown. In front of the Parliament building stand four corniced columns, discovered in 1968. A strand of five more columns stand to the left of the St. George Maronite ...
Apartheid Museum
Johannesburg, South Africa
The Apartheid Museum is a stark reminder of the brutal history of South Africa, and is a very interesting bit of architecture. Address: Corner of Northern Parkway and Gold Reef Road, Ormonde Telephone: +27 (0)11 309 4700 Website: http://www.apartheidmuseum.org/ Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1700 Admission charge ...
Victoria Park
Hong Kong, China
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