Laura Alho

Laura Alho is a Finnish-origin, Riyadh-based travel blogger, writer and photographer.[2] She is the founder of Blue Abaya, the first travel blog in Saudi Arabia, which she launched in 2010.[3] Her work as a writer and photographer has been published in various magazines and media outlets, including National Geographic, Saudi Gazette and Arab News.[4] She is also the first European woman to have received her driving license in Saudi Arabia.[5][6]


Laura Alho
Born
Finland
NationalityFinnish
Occupation(s)Travel blogger
Writer
EmployerRoyal Commission for Al-'Ula
Children2[1]
Parent
  • Hannu Alho (father)
Websitewww.blueabaya.com

Early life and career

After completing her graduation, Laura started working as a nurse in her home country. She wanted to become a wildlife photographer as a child and study Egyptology but ended up in the medical field.[7] She moved to Saudi Arabia in 2008 on a short-term assignment. She started blogging as a hobby, but travel writing became a full-time job.[8]

In 2010, she launched her website called Blue Abaya, when she witnessed a lack of channels informing people about tourism in Saudi Arabia. The name Blue Abaya came from the blue color of Finland's flag and Abaya, a full-length outer garment worn by women in Saudi Arabia. The website was started with the purpose of promoting Saudi tourism and heritage sites to audiences worldwide. The website garnered millions of views from across the world.[2]

Her blog has won several blog awards, including Best Saudi Arabia Expat Blog 2012,[9] Best Asian & Middle Eastern Weblog 2013 at The Weblog Awards (Bloggies).[10]

In 2014, Ahlo was a finalist in the Saudi Excellence in Tourism Awards (SETA) as the best website promoting tourism. In 2017, she was named one of the top 10 most influential expats residing in the Arab world who brought positive change.[2][11] In 2021, Laura was named 'Travel Media Influencer of the Year' at The Wanderlust Travel Awards by Wanderlust magazine.[12]

Laura Alho has written guidebooks and travel guides about Saudi Arabia[2] and also has authored two books, Ultimate Guide to Edge of the World and Guide to Secret Lake in Riyadh.[4] She works in the marketing department of the Royal Commission for Al-'Ula (RCU).[13]

Personal life

She is married to a Saudi with whom she has two kids.[1]

References
  1. Stewart, Ashleigh (June 11, 2018). "The women raring to go when Saudi ban is lifted". The National (Abu Dhabi).
  2. Fayyaz, Ali (April 22, 2018). "A Finnish woman's mission to show the world Saudi Arabia's cultural heritage gems". Arab News.
  3. "Exactly Why is a Finnish Blogger Promoting Saudi Arabia?". Al Bawaba. April 4, 2019.
  4. "Founder Of Saudi Arabia's First Travel Blog Reveals 5 Hidden Gems In The Kingdom". Villa88live. January 20, 2020.
  5. Toumi, Habib (June 8, 2018). "First European woman receives Saudi license". Gulf News.
  6. "Key moments in the driving history of Saudi women". Arab News. June 24, 2019.
  7. "10 Questions: Laura Alho". Goodnewsfinland.com. August 16, 2018.
  8. Raita-aho, Sanna (July 10, 2017). "Saudi-Arabiassa asuva suomalainen Laura odottaa innolla pääsyä ratin taa – "Täällä sääntöjen tiukkuuteen vaikuttaa se, kuka olet"" (in Finnish). Yleisradio Oy.
  9. "ExpatsBlog.com Expat Blog Awards 2012: Saudi Arabia Gold Award". Expatsblog.com. November 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 27, 2013.
  10. "13th weblog awards". 2013.bloggi.es.
  11. "Our list of the top 10 expats living in the Arab world". Stepfeed.com. July 31, 2017.
  12. "The Wanderlust Travel Awards 2021: The Results". Wanderlust. 2021.
  13. "AlUla Saudi Arabia with @BlueAbaya". TravelMedia.ie. 2021.
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