Recent incidents in Europe involving violence against Arabs have led many Arab families to consider changing their holiday destinations.

Many Arabs believe Australians are generally more easy-going and culturally diverse than Europeans and for that reason there is a changing trend of Arab families preferring to holiday in Australia.

Last month, French President Nicolas Sarkozy criticised Muslim women wearing the burqa (long veil that covers the body as well as the face) in French society which led to increasing tension among the multi-ethnic population in France.

In 2004, a law was passed banning headscarves and religious symbols in French public schools.

Also in Germany earlier this month, an Egyptian woman, Marwa Al-Sherbini, who abided by the Muslim dress code and was three months pregnant, was stabbed to death outside a courtroom in Dresden.

The murderer was a German man she filed and won a lawsuit against for calling her a “terrorist”.

July in the Arabian Gulf sees an average daily maximum temperature of 45 degrees. The grueling two-day journey is worth it for those Arab families and couples who have their annual summer holiday during Southeast Queensland’s mild winter.

Although cultural and religious aspects prevent most Arab women from swimming or surfing, their husbands are more than happy to take their families to popular tourist sites and activities everyone can enjoy.

Walking along the Gold Coast’s shores, visiting theme parks such as Sea World, shopping centers, as well as taking a tour on the Aqua Duck is more than enough for a well-spent holiday for the family-oriented vacationers.

Amal, a female in her late twenties from Saudi Arabia, enjoyed her trip to the Gold Coast so much she hopes to return again for another visit, and plans to see some other cities as well.

“My brother visited the Gold Coast a year ago on his honeymoon and really praised the city. My mother and I decided to come as well.

“The Gold Coast is different from Europe in atmosphere and type of people, it is more relaxed over here and Australians are more easy-going and friendly,” she said.

Another tourist, Khalid Ahmad, from Abu Dhabi (UAE) is here with his wife and two children.

He heard about the Gold Coast from family members and friends who visited before him and had a great time.

Ahmad added that since he and his family have been here, they have visited Sea World, Movie World, Dream World as well as Pacific Fair.

“We are now planning to participate in some nature activities. Usually we go to Germany for our vacation, but we’ve decided to change this year,

“since we arrived we have been constantly and pleasantly surprised. The flight to the Gold Coast was very tiring but the country deserves the long journey,” he said.

Ahmad added that the airport officials were friendly and professional although the security was tight.
“But this is something we understand since it is a tough time politically and health-wise. In the end, this is for our own good,” he said.

Australian behaviour and attitudes are similar to those of other Westerners such as in the US and Europe.

The cultural and religious differences between the Gulf Arabs and Westerners, however, are very noticeable, which makes traveling and having a good time for Arabs—and especially for Arab women—more worrisome than relaxing.

Most obvious is the difference in dress codes. Women wear headscarves (hijab in Arabic), and more often than not, long veils.

Men grow their beards long, making them the subject of questioning looks and stares, especially since 9/11.

Noora, a female from the UAE, said that Australian citizens and residents do not distinguish between Arabs and Westerners when providing their services.

In her experience, Australians are very kind and courteous when addressing anyone.

“When we started coming here eight years ago, when there weren’t many Arab tourists, the people used to ask us about ourselves.

“Now, they are used to seeing Arabs here all the time. We have even found Arabic halal (permissible to eat under Islamic law) food restaurants opening up recently,” she said.

Noora added that although halal food is found all over Europe as well, it is generally easier to communicate in English with Australians than with Europeans. English is the second language of most Gulf Arabs.

Layla from Saudi Arabia, along with her husband, children, brother and sister, have been living in New South Wales for a number of years. They have also made the journey, albeit a short one, to the Gold Coast.

“We are treated equally here without any harassment. I don’t see any difference between us (Arabs) and any other tourists as we enjoy the same things,” she observed.
Layla added that she is much happier living in Australia than she was in the Arab states.

“That’s because I am more comfortable. In Australia, they generally have respect for the individual whoever he or she is,
“Even if they don’t understand one’s background, people here are obliged by the law to respect any person and that is enough for me.”

If a woman goes to Saudi Arabia she is forced to wear the headscarf whether she likes it or not; “Here I choose to wear the hijab and no one harasses me,” Layla said.