The UK has been a favorite destination for Saudi Arabian tourists and travelers for decades. According to numbers recently revealed by Visit Britain, the official website of the British Tourist Authority, things aren't so different this year. 

In fact, the number of Saudis who visited the UK through all entry points reached a staggering 23,769 during the first quarter of 2019. The reasons for visits varied, ranging between vacation, business, study, and others including medical treatment. The statistical data also showed how much Saudis approximately spent during a three-month period in the UK. The amount totaled to nearly half a billion riyals ($118 million), to be exact. 

Nearly 7,400 Saudi women visited the UK during the stated period, spending about 114 million riyals ($30 million); men spent the remaining 331 million riyals ($88 million). 

The figures pointed to a huge jump in the number of Saudi women visiting the UK this year. Their number of visits rose by 76.6 percent compared to the same period last year, while their spendings shot up by 62.8 percent. The  number of nights women spent in the kingdom also increased by 224.9 percent.

Things weren't as positive when it came to Saudi men as there was a significant decline in their number of visits, their nights spent, as well as their expenses. Saudi men's visits to the UK dropped by 34.7 percent to 16,403 from the previous year. Their expenditures and the number of nights spent in the UK also decreased by 20.6 percent and 56.6 percent, respectively. 

The UK isn't the only destination attracting Saudi tourists this year. Other more adventurous locations are becoming popular among them, including Mauritius. 

According to the latest statistics released by the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), travelers from Saudi Arabia to the island nation nearly doubled in the first few months of 2019. 

Between the months of January and July of this year, travelers from Saudi Arabia to Mauritius increased 49 percent when compared to the same period in 2018. A total of 13,704 Saudi nationals visited the island in the stated months, exploring its sandy white beaches and lush green landscape. In 2018, the number of Saudi travelers to Mauritius stood at 9,190. Saudi Arabia is now the 10th most important international market for inbound travelers to Mauritius. 

On Thursday, Etihad Airways announced a ban on certain MacBook Pro laptops carried as checked-in luggage. The move follows a similar ban issued by U.S. airline safety regulators after Apple recalled some of its older laptop models back in June due to a fire risk in case batteries overheat.

The airline added that the laptops in question could still be carried as cabin luggage but under a few conditions. 

"Following a safety-related recall of some Apple MacBook Pro laptop computers, Etihad Airways has banned the carriage of MacBook Pro computers in checked luggage," the airline said in a statement. 

"Guests may still carry MacBook Pro laptops on flights, but only in cabin baggage. The laptops subject to the manufacturer's recall must remain switched off throughout the flight. Charging of the devices will not be permitted in flight," it added. 

The recent restriction, according to the airline, comes in line with actions taken by several airlines around the world. Etihad's cargo division has also banned the bulk shipment of these computers. 

Four other airlines with cargo operations managed by Total Cargo Expertise have also banned the laptops from being carried as cargo including TUI Group Airlines, Thomas Cook Airlines, Air Italy, and Air Transat. 

As of Thursday, UAE's flag carrier Emirates said "it had no update to issue in relation to the recalled laptops."

Global airlines that have issued a similar ban include Singapore Airways which has prohibited the carriage of older 15-inch MacBook Pro laptops on flights. They have asked travelers not to bring the models as cabin or checked-in baggage until the battery was verified as safe or replaced by the manufacturer.

The EU Aviation Safety Agency also issued "a warning this month asking airlines in the region to follow 2017 rules that require devices with recalled lithium-ion batteries to be switched off and not used during flights."

Earlier this year, Apple issued an urgent recall of the laptops in questions, and have reclaimed over 460,000 computers affected. At the time, the company revealed it found that in a "limited number of older generation 15-inch MacBook Pro units, the battery may overheat and pose a fire safety risk." 

Its officials also added that batteries would be replaced for customers who were sold these models, asking their customers to check the serial numbers on their devices. The laptops recalled by the tech giant include some models of the 15-inch MacBook Pros sold between September 2015 and February 2017.

To check if your MacBook is one of the laptops affected, go to this link to claim a battery change.