Originally Posted by
bhd87
"Unlike other countries of the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council -- Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman), Saudi Arabia does not issue tourist visas nor is it possible for a hotel to sponsor a visitor."
I'm not sure where you got that from (if you're going to quote something, please give a source). Here's what the US department of state
consular information sheet says:
Visas are issued for business and work, to visit close relatives, and for transit and religious visits. Visas for tourism are issued only for approved tour groups following organized itineraries.
I'm not saying it's an easy place to travel, I'm just correcting your statement that they don't let American tourists in.