Travel is often considered one of life’s most rewarding experiences, offering opportunities to explore new destinations, meet different people, and experience diverse cultures and landscapes. However, alongside the excitement of travel, tourists are increasingly encountering various forms of fraud and deception in popular destinations.

Travel-related scams targeting both local and international visitors have become a growing concern in many areas. While some incidents involve minor inconveniences, others can result in significant financial losses. Experts say that awareness and careful planning can greatly reduce the chances of becoming a victim.

One of the most common schemes involves overly friendly strangers approaching travelers at tourist attractions, transport hubs, or stations. These individuals often claim to be local guides offering assistance or special tours, but in many cases they redirect visitors to commission-based shops or provide misleading services. Travelers are advised to arrange guides and transportation only through authorized counters or verified tour operators.

Fake ticket sales are another frequent problem. Fraudsters may sell unofficial tickets for buses, trains, boats, or tourist sites, often advertising them at discounted rates or promising faster access. Tourists are encouraged to purchase tickets exclusively from official counters or verified online platforms and avoid handwritten or unclear passes.

Overcharging for transportation is also widely reported in tourist areas. Taxi drivers, auto-rickshaw operators, and boat services sometimes demand double or triple the normal fare, particularly from foreign tourists or visitors unfamiliar with local pricing. Experts recommend discussing fares in advance, checking local rates, and using ride-sharing applications whenever possible.

In certain destinations, photographers or individuals posing with animals or costumes may invite tourists to take pictures and later demand payment. Travelers should clarify whether any fees apply before agreeing to photos.

Online hotel booking fraud has also become increasingly common. Some travelers discover upon arrival that the hotel either does not exist or looks completely different from advertised images. To avoid such situations, experts advise booking through official hotel websites or reputable booking services while carefully reviewing ratings and customer feedback. Travelers are also urged to avoid making full advance payments unless the platform is verified.

Another tactic involves scammers creating fake emergencies. Individuals may falsely claim that a traveler’s documents or luggage require inspection in an attempt to intimidate them into paying money. Tourists are advised not to hand over documents unless approached by officials displaying proper identification. In suspicious situations, contacting local police or tourism authorities is recommended.

Free gifts and promotional offers can also become traps for unsuspecting visitors. In some tourist hotspots, strangers may place bracelets or small items in a traveler’s hand and later aggressively demand payment. Experts recommend refusing unsolicited items from unfamiliar individuals.

Restaurants and shops may also impose hidden service charges or inflated bills on tourists. Travelers should check menus, ask about additional charges in advance, and carefully review bills before payment.

Meanwhile, online travel scams continue to spread through social media platforms and unofficial websites promoting unrealistically cheap travel packages. In many cases, communication ends after payment is made. Travelers are advised to verify company licenses, customer reviews, and official contact information before making reservations.

Travel specialists emphasize that caution should not discourage tourism but rather help make journeys safer and more enjoyable. Proper research, careful planning, and awareness remain among the most effective ways to avoid travel-related fraud.

TABUK, Saudi Arabia: Two adjoining rock formations in southwestern Tayma Governorate have become one of the area’s most distinctive natural and cultural attractions, known collectively as Al-Naslaa, or the “twin” rock.

The formation is characterized by a remarkably straight and narrow gap that divides the two rock sections, creating the appearance of a precise split. Its name is derived from the Arabic word nasalat, meaning “to separate,” referring to the rock’s separation from the surrounding mountain formations.

Standing approximately eight meters high, Al-Naslaa rests on two natural rock bases, with each base supporting one side of the formation. Its unusual geological structure is complemented by ancient inscriptions and rock art carved into its surface.

The Heritage Commission says Al-Naslaa lies within a broader area known for its archaeological sites and extensive rock inscriptions. These remains reflect the long-standing historical importance of Tayma and the wider Tabuk Region.

For centuries, Tayma served as an important station along ancient trade routes crossing northwestern Arabia, connecting the area to broader networks of commerce and cultural exchange.

Today, Al-Naslaa is recognized as one of Saudi Arabia’s notable geological landmarks. The combination of its unusual natural formation and preserved inscriptions offers visitors a glimpse into both the geological evolution and human history of the surrounding landscape.

Source: SPA

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia: Wadi Hanifah is offering residents and visitors a chance to escape Riyadh’s fast-paced urban environment, combining rugged terrain, greenery and open spaces within one of the capital’s most prominent natural landmarks.

The valley is featured among the destinations promoted under the Saudi Summer 2026 program, held under the slogan “Summer Your Way.” The initiative highlights a broad range of attractions across the Kingdom, including natural, recreational and heritage destinations.

Extending across large areas of Riyadh, Wadi Hanifah has played an important role in the city’s history and development. Rehabilitation projects have helped protect its natural character while improving surrounding areas with facilities designed to support visitors and outdoor activities.

The valley features landscaped areas, walking trails, seating spaces, parks and viewpoints overlooking its terrain. These amenities have helped establish Wadi Hanifah as a popular destination for families, walkers and people seeking outdoor recreation.

The Wadi Hanifah Dam and surrounding areas are among the valley’s notable attractions, complemented by parks and other natural sites distributed along its length. Together, they provide additional leisure options within the capital while creating spaces where nature and the urban environment intersect.

The destination’s growing summer popularity reflects increasing interest in outdoor leisure among Riyadh residents and visitors. Its open-air setting provides an alternative to indoor entertainment and offers several ways to enjoy the city’s natural surroundings.

Wadi Hanifah forms part of the diverse experiences promoted through Saudi Summer 2026, which includes events and activities alongside natural, cultural, heritage and recreational attractions. The program seeks to encourage domestic tourism and highlight destinations across the Kingdom’s regions.

With its environmental, historical and recreational significance, Wadi Hanifah remains an important feature of Riyadh’s tourism landscape, providing a distinctive natural retreat in the capital and adding an outdoor dimension to the city’s summer experience.

Source: SPA

ASEER, Saudi Arabia: Thick clouds are sweeping across the mountains of the Aseer region, creating a striking summer landscape as mist moves along steep slopes, winding roads and agricultural terraces.

Aerial images captured by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) show historic villages and traditional terraces emerging through the fog, at times appearing to float above an expansive sea of white clouds. The scenery reflects both the region’s rugged geography and generations of local adaptation to life in the mountains.

For travelers exploring Aseer’s highlands, rapidly changing weather conditions can transform the landscape within minutes. Clear views of deep valleys and green forests can give way to dense fog, creating an atmospheric setting that adds a sense of mystery to the journey.

The region’s combination of sweeping cloud formations and moderate temperatures has further strengthened Aseer’s appeal as a leading summer destination in 2026. Viewpoints across the highlands provide visitors with opportunities to watch clouds rise from the valleys, creating panoramic scenes in which the mountains appear to drift across an endless white horizon.

Source: SPA

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia: Jeddah is drawing increased attention as a summer tourism destination in 2026, with its Red Sea coastline offering visitors a combination of marine recreation, adventure and natural attractions.

Beyond its beaches, the governorate provides opportunities for boat excursions, diving, water sports and exploration. Offshore islands and coral reefs add to the area’s appeal, with reefs featuring a wide range of formations and colors that contribute to Jeddah’s distinctive marine landscape.

The governorate is strengthening its role as a gateway to Red Sea marine tourism by expanding access to coastal sites, boat trips and water-based activities. The growing range of experiences gives visitors opportunities to combine leisure and adventure while discovering the region’s marine environment.

Activity is currently increasing across 13 beaches and marine sites. To support visitors, operations are being backed by 34 field supervisors and 66 male and female lifeguards. The deployment is intended to improve safety, strengthen operational preparedness and maintain service standards as demand for coastal activities rises.

Visitors can select from four types of marine sports and experiences, in addition to boat trips to islands and coral reef locations. Together, these activities offer opportunities to explore the Red Sea’s natural diversity while enjoying recreational and sporting experiences on the water.

The development forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to expand its tourism industry and capitalize on the Red Sea’s natural and competitive advantages. It also supports the diversification of tourism destinations and products in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to increase tourism’s contribution to the national economy and improve quality of life.

Source: SPA