Tourism to Saudi Arabia? I’ve always wanted to watch a flogging

Tourism promises to be a big money-spinner for Saudi Arabia’s failing economy. 

I envision an Islamic Justice Tour, in which mobs of eager tourists will be bussed to Riyadh’s Chop-Chop Square to witness an entertaining exhibition of floggings, stonings, beheadings and cross-limb amputations. For an extra charge, tourists will be allowed to participate in the stonings. But you’ll have to rent your own stone. Following Thailand’s lead, after the main event, tourists will be bussed to souvenir shops. But instead of jewellery, handicrafts, clothing and folk art, these shops will feature a tasteful variety of “justice souvenirs” – swords, whips, knives and stones. The used ones that have blood on them will fetch higher prices. Imaginatively implemented, the Saudi tourism plan is bound to be a success.

S Tsow