Hotels in several countries have mandated strict check for Saudis, especially single young men in their twenties and thirties. Security checks include close inspection of the person and his luggage at the entrance to the hotel.

These procedures are stricter in Arab countries such as Jordan and Lebanon, especially in the wake of a hotel bombing in Beirut by a Saudi national who was wanted in his country. Single men from Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon confirmed that Saudi nationals have to undergo stricter security procedures. In the case of Saudi young men, officials also insist on knowing their place of residence while filling out hotel registration forms.

Officials at airports of Arab countries admitted imposing strict inspection procedures on travelers from a number of Arab countries including Saudi Arabia, saying these procedures are often limited to single young men. A Saudi passenger returning from vacation said that events in the region’s countries afflicted by strife and the participation of a number of young Saudis in these events such as joining Daesh, a terrorist organization, had prompted the implementation of these measures.

“We hear about Saudis joining terrorist organizations abroad whether in Syria or Iraq or other regions of conflict making people afraid and suspicious of Saudis,” he said.