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Course Introduction and Traveller Essentials

Introduction

1.1

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Arabian Peninsula blessed with a diverse geography having forests, grasslands, mountain ranges and deserts and a rich cultural heritage that has been shaped by its historical role as an ancient trade center, its Bedouin traditions and its Islamic heritage.

1.2

UNESCO Criteria for inscribing World Heritage Sites in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia:

UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization established in 1972 is globally engaged in the protection and preservation of cultural or national heritage has a set criterion for selecting the world heritage sites it inscribes across nations and the same was applied in inscribing the sites in the kingdom which are following – “to represent a masterpiece of human creative genius, to bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony for a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared, to be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates significant stages in human history, to be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use or sea-use which is representative of a culture or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change and to contain areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance”.

These key elements reflect in the six world heritage sites in Saudi Arabia inscribed by UNESCO from 2008 to 2018. TBO Academy in this course introduces and explores these diverse and fascinating sites to our esteemed agent partners globally for them to promote Saudi Arabia to their valued clients.

1.3

Roots in Trade Routes:

From the dawn of civilization, what we know as modern Saudi Arabia today has been at one of the world’s most important crossroads of peoples and cultures in this strategically significant area located at the gateway between the Orient and the Occident. For centuries, camel caravans laden with frankincense, myrrh, spices, silk and precious stones traversed ancient Arabia. At its peak between 3rd century BC and 2nd century CE hundreds of camels per caravan plied this route using an established network of waypoint towns and caravanserais. This trade brough prosperity to the cities along the Arabian Peninsula’s western coast and these routes fostered the exchange of goods and ideas across continents and till today relics and reminders in the form of ruins can be seen and visited in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

TRAVELLER ESSENTIALS

1.4a.

Getting to Saudi Arabia:

It is necessary for most foreign visitors to obtain a visa to enter Saudi Arabia.

Saudi E-visa – is available to citizens of 49 eligible foreign countries. Applicants must have a passport from one of the eligible countries valid for at least 6 months from their date of entry into the country. They will also need a credit/debit card to pay the visa fee, as well as an up-to-date email address to receive the visa. Applicants need to make sure they complete every section of the e-visa application accurately. On approval for an e-visa the traveller only needs to print a copy of the electronic visa to present to the Saudi authorities along with the passport on arrival.

Tourists from other countries should apply for visa through Saudi embassies and consulates near them.

1.4b.

International Gateways in Saudi Arabia:

Visitors wishing to visit the UNESCO Heritage sites in Saudi Arabia can enter the country through two major international gateways Jeddah and Riyadh although Dammam also receives international flights and visitors.

1.4c.

Best Time to visit Saudi Arabia:

Is from late October to March as Saudi Arabia has pleasant and cool winters.

1.4d.

Languages:

Arabic is the official language however English is widely spoken and used in business. Besides Urdu, Hindi, Turkish and Tagalog are also spoken by expatriates in the city.

1.4e.

Currency – Saudi Riyal (SAR)

1.4f.

Connectivity Solutions – visitors can buy SIM Cards and wi-fi fixed bundles from Mobily and STC

1.4g.

Electricity, Voltage and Power-Plug – 220V/60HZ (U.S. Schuko, Type G Plugs)

1.4h.

Time Zone – UTC+3

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Introduction

TRAVELLER ESSENTIALS

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