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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Address: intersection of Kunaev and Ayteke Bi Streets, opposite Panfilov Park, Almaty Phone: + 7 (727) 272 4018 Timings: Tuesdays to Sundays 8 am to 10 pm Tickets: 480 KZT for every two-hour session Housed within a large, imposing, five-storied structure with a huge dome, the central bathhouse in Almaty offers a rejuvenation experience like no hotel sauna ever could! Three types ...
Hagia Sophia
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The first iteration of Hagia Sophia was built in 306AD to serve as Constantinople's Cathedral, but burned down in 404. Version two also burned down too, though several marble slabs remain. Construction on the current version began in 532 and lasted five years. It was built during the apogee of the Byzantine Empire under Emperor Justinian and you can really tell they went all out....
Musee Chagall
Nice, France
This museum displaying Chagall's works is one of the most popular museums in Nice. Marc Chagall was a Russian painter who died in 1985 in a town close to Nice. He is famous for his paintings which have their inspiration in Jewish legends. His work is displayed on huge canvasses at the museum and this is a must-see on the list of things to do. Avenue Docteur-Menard Nice 06000 Franc...
Masjid Qiblatain
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