This article was front page news today in the Arab News paper. “Saudis pack their bags and prepare for bumpy takeoff”, written by Rawan Radwan for Arab News, 16 May 2021. While expats and residents could resume international travel last October, Saudi citizens were still grounded. Saudis have been restricted in their travel for over a year, since the coronavirus pandemic arrived last spring. With the end of Ramadan and Eid holiday celebrations, international travel is once more possible.
Although choices of destinations are more limited, and there are restrictions on coming into Saudi from certain countries, I think many people will be heading to visit relatives and friends abroad. An easy getaway from Saudi Arabia, is the neighboring island of Bahrain. I think it is a welcome event for the Bahrain tourism market. Here is an excerpt from the article about this destination.
‘Earlier, Bahrain announced that all GCC visitors who are fully vaccinated or recovered are no longer required to undergo a PCR test on arrival but must show evidence of vaccination or recovery.
For Saudis, a little more care and attention is given, with a welcome back campaign launched by the neighboring island kingdom featuring the slogan “walahna alaikom,” or “we’ve missed you.”’
Below is an excerpt from the beginning of the article online. You can read the entire article in this link: https://www.arabnews.com/node/1859356/saudi-arabia
“JEDDAH: With summer knocking on our doors, Saudi travelers will head to the Kingdom’s airports for their first international journeys in over a year — but many face challenges ahead.
After more than 14 months of international flight bans, Saudis are ready to don their blue disposable face masks and use up their air miles on May 17.
Almost 11.5 million residents of the Kingdom have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine jab and more than 400,000 recoveries have been reported by the Saudi health ministry.
While some Saudis have restricted their holiday or business destinations to the safest areas due to COVID-19 protocols, many are undeterred by the challenges ahead and can’t wait to fasten their seatbelts.”
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