抖阴短视频

JEDDAH: Video bloggers, or vloggers, sharing their travel adventures in 抖阴短视频 are drawing attention to the changing face of the Kingdom 鈥� and helping to shatter some misconceptions along the way. 

Since the introduction of tourist visas in September last year, more than 77,000 tourists have visited the Kingdom, Ministry of Foreign Affairs statistics show.

American vlogger Peter Santenello has created , with the first video attracting more than 1.7 million views on YouTube.

Stepping outside his hotel room on his first day in Riyadh, he said: 鈥淚t is hot, it鈥檚 a different world, and I鈥檓 super pumped.鈥�

Santenello soon became aware of changes taking place in 抖阴短视频, catching sight of the Kingdom Tower and seeing women driving in the capital.

鈥淎fter two hours on the street, I鈥檓 seeing tons of development, a lot of new businesses,鈥� he said.

Seeing the Kingdom firsthand was 鈥渟mashing a lot of preconceptions,鈥� the vlogger added.

Santenello said that he is comfortable in Saudi company, and no longer surprised by the wide-ranging social reforms visible in the country.

On one of his explorations, he tried on a traditional Saudi thobe. 鈥淰ery stately, I like it. A new look I鈥檓 gonna rock throughout Saudi,鈥� he said as he showed off his new purchase.

Walking around in his new outfit, the American vlogger met individuals from different countries who tried to guess his nationality. 鈥淚t鈥檚 super diverse; many nationalities in the region are working here in Saudi,鈥� he said.

Santenello said that excitement at the rapid changes is obvious among young people he met on his travels.

鈥淓ven before I was a travel vlogger, I鈥檝e always wanted to go to 抖阴短视频,鈥� he told Arab News. 鈥淎nyone from the West going in is a bit nervous at first, just because of what鈥檚 presented on the news, but it completely surprised me. Overall, it was a wonderful trip.鈥�

The vlogger described his trip as 鈥渆xcellent,鈥� and said he was surprised by both the country and its people. 鈥淢eeting locals, I found them to be very open, curious and friendly,鈥� he said.

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Tourism is a fairly recent phenomenon in the country, but the people were welcoming and accepting.

鈥淚 realized it is many nations in one and there are many different ideologies,鈥� he added. 鈥淚t was surprising to hear different opinions on the country.鈥�

抖阴短视频鈥檚 varied landscapes, especially in southwestern areas such as Fayfa, were 鈥渄ifferent and beautiful,鈥� he said.

Santenello鈥檚 visit began and ended in Riyadh, and included Jazan, Jeddah, Abha, Fayfa and Farsan Island. His series will include about 12 videos detailing his explorations.

South Korean vlogger Cho Won Kim, known by his YouTube channel name Chomad, visited 抖阴短视频 during a tour of the Middle East.

Since there are no direct flights from South Korea to the Kingdom, Chomad spent his transit hours in Abu Dhabi learning Arabic words such as 鈥淢arhaba鈥� (鈥淗ello鈥�) and 鈥淪hukran鈥� (鈥淭hank you鈥�) to help him when he arrived.

For his first meal in Jeddah he went to a local favorite, Albaik, which specializes in fried chicken.

The vlogger ordered deep-fried shrimp and a chicken burger. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so delicious,鈥� he said.

鈥淏efore I arrived in 抖阴短视频, I was a little afraid of coming here. But from what I鈥檝e experienced today, I鈥檓 already anticipating tomorrow,鈥� he said before wishing viewers a good night.

During his trip, Chomad was fascinated by Saudi people鈥檚 discipline in maintaining their five prayers. Every time he was out, he would stop by the nearest mosque when he heard the call to prayer.

In an attempt to learn about the country and explore its religion, Chomad visited Al-Rahma, Jeddah鈥檚 floating mosque. He couldn鈥檛 believe he was finally seeing the Red Sea.

After viewing the interior of the mosque鈥檚 dome, with its beautiful chandelier and walls inscribed with intricately detailed Qur鈥檃nic verses, he said: 鈥淚 honestly think the mosque is prettier than the mall.鈥�

On his second vlog, the South Korean鈥檚 entry covers his journey through old Jeddah, shooting clips of his drive into the ancient sections of the city.

鈥淪ince I was the only Asian, I could feel all the attention on me,鈥� Chomad said 鈥� but what he couldn鈥檛 understand was how people showered him with welcoming words.

Strolling in historic Al-Balad felt just like any other market as he checked out local produce before settling in to try a traditional beef stew at a restaurant.

鈥淭he splendid present and historical past coexist,鈥� Chomad said when he visited Jeddah鈥檚 Urth Cafe. 鈥淚 thought I could get only typical halal food in 抖阴短视频, but there are so many beautiful cafes 鈥� the vibe is entirely European,鈥� he said.

鈥淪audi people are so kind,鈥� the vlogger added. 鈥淭he country is not scary at all.鈥�

Ending his trip, Chomad stopped by the hip cafe Cup & Couch, where he met a new group of Saudi friends, some of whom even spoke a little bit of Korean.