Experts have cautioned Saudis planning to travel abroad during summer vacation to watch their spending behavior, avoid visiting suspicious and immoral places, and respect the local laws of the host countries. This warning follows attacks on a number of Saudi citizens, including diplomats, businessmen, and tourists abroad. The latest being the shooting this week of the Saudi lawyer Batee Al-Shammary in Damascus in efforts to rob him. Saudi tourists have requested Saudi embassies to implement the directives of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Holy Mosques, to open the embassies for Saudi citizens; the King said: “I hear, and I'm not accusing anybody, that certain embassies do not allow people in, and this is absolutely unacceptable. You must open your doors and hearts and be kind to the Saudi citizens.” Saudi researcher Adel Abdoh has blamed the targeting of Saudis abroad on their unjustifiable demonstration of wealth and extravagance, especially during money exchange transactions, in addition to frequenting certain immoral and obscene places which expose them to risk and abuse. The researcher also explained that Saudi tourists must also observe local rules and regulations of the countries they visit, stay away from suspected places, and inform the Saudi embassy of any untoward incident immediately. Among the things that makes Saudi tourists become targets of robbery and abuse are the obvious lavish spending and the conspicuous Saudi outfits, including Saudi women abayas, which attract the attention of robbers.
