On Deserts and Beaches: Recreational Tourism in the Muslim World

Some researchers in tourism and recreation have used the Muslim countries as a sort of mirror for the better understanding of the styles of leisure. Upto now most authors agree that recreational styles in the Muslim world are distinctly different from the Western ways. But the opinion cannot be dismissed that this might be due to time lags in evolution only. In this case integration of Western and muslim holidaymakers might become socially acceptable in the same resorts and facilities. At present national holiday-making has started to boom in many Muslim countries. It is accompanied by a clear preference for beaches and deserts which are public spaces open to recreational uses The same reason may have lured the English lower middle class to the seaside and moors some 120 to 140 years ago.