Middle East tourists to ditch France on burqa ban

Gulf travel companies fear that Middle East tourists to France could see a sharp drop in numbers following the ban on burqas which went into force last month, according to a report in Al Aribiya News.

Those wearing a "niqab” or burqa in public - tourists included - now face a fine of €150 ($214) and could be ordered to take French citizenship classes.

France is the second-most popular destination for tourists from the Middle East, but the burqa ban has provoked a backlash from Muslim communities abroad. (...)