Tourism in Saudi Arabia

Mecca, receiving over 3 million pilgrims a year during the month of hajj, and during month of Ramadan for umrah around 2 million. During the rest of the year Mecca receives around 4 million for umrah. This is not really tourism, but rather religious pilgrimage, i.e. people who want to fulfil their goal of seeing the Kaaba or other attractions and observe religious rites. The Hajj, or pilgrimage to the city, is one of the 5 pillars of Islam. However, it is forbidden to non-muslims. The mountains, valleys and Red Sea beaches with turquoise water known for some of the world's finest diving attract some, but not much. Some other spots are hard to reach, such as Nabatean ruins, a four-hour drive from Medina, the nearest city with an airport for visitors to fly into. It is almost dependent on oil, a habit Prince Sultan Bin Salman wants to change by forming the Tourism commission in 2000. No non-Muslimone can enter the kingdom without a sponsor.There is also one of the most famous bridge like the Bahrain bridge to be viewed.