Local Editor
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has reportedly spent USD 100 million during a month-long vacation in Morocco’s Tangier.
Salman, who arrived in Tangier with more than 1,000 people including ministers, advisers, relatives, and security personnel, stayed at his 74-acre estate while members of his entourage were housed in the city’s most expensive hotels.
More than 800 hotel rooms were reserved, 200 cars were leased, and the finest catering companies were hired.
The amount of money spent amounts to 1.5% of Morocco’s revenue from foreign tourism this year, which is estimated at USD 6.5 billion.
Over the last 12 months, Salman upgraded his summer estate in Tangier – one of many that the Saudi monarch owns around the world – adding three helipads, several buildings and a massive tent. The complex is surrounded by a 1500-meter wall and guarded by 30 members of the Moroccan royal guard.
News of the king’s lavish holiday comes at a time when Riyadh is grappling with the worst economic crisis in the kingdom’s history.
In 2016, Saudi Arabia’s budget deficit reached a whopping USD 79 billion. The kingdom is expected to introduce value added tax (VAT) in January 2018 as its economy reels from low oil prices.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by Website Team
