'If a country has a poor human rights record, should we still holiday there?'

Cuba is one example, where tourists from Canada and Europe helped halt the move towards full communism. Another is Qatar. Perhaps 15 years ago, few in the UK had even heard of this country, but more visitors has meant more international scrutiny and forced the abolition of the tied labour system for migrant workers building hotels and Fifa World Cup infrastructure.

Last year, over dinner with locals in the UAE, I quietly relayed reports I had read of how Dubai’s ruler had allegedly ordered the return of his daughter, Latifa, to the emirate at gunpoint, with forces sent to capture her off India as she sought asylum (there’s a BBC documentary about it). “You know more about this than we do,” said the Emiratis I was with. Sometimes it takes a visitor to act as messenger.

Before mass tourism to Dubai, this episode would have faced far less international scrutiny – probably because it wouldn’t have been on anyone’s radar. Now it’s an international issue we are probably unlikely to see such things again. Nothing changes overnight, but the drip-drip of foreign persuasion and gentle pressure all builds up.

Despite all the arguments to boycott destinations because of their human rights record, bringing fresh influences to a country can be a force for change. It might take generations, but you have to begin somewhere. In Saudi Arabia’s case, tourists will have to make up their own minds.

Personally, I’m not sure visiting a remote beach resort isolated from reality will help the country’s regime to change its ways – and I certainly won’t be visiting myself. But whether tourists choose to visit Saudi Arabia, or don’t, this could yet be a small – and important – first step for the country.

Gary Noakes has been writing about the travel industry for TTG for more than 20 years.