On September 27, Saudi Arabia announced it would start offering tourist visas to travellers. For the first time in the history the kingdom opened its doors to holidaymakers. Before that date, the ultra-conservative state only issued visas to Muslim pilgrims, foreign workers and recently to spectators at sporting or cultural events. The move was prompted by the desire of the country to diversify its economy away from oil.
Tourism development plan is one of the centerpieces of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS)'s Vision 2030 reform program which is supposed to prepare the Arab world's largest economy for a post-oil era. Currently, citizens from 49 countries are eligible for online e-visas or visas on arrival when travelling to the country with tourism purposes, including nationals of the United States, Australia, several European nations, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, China and Kazakhstan.
According to the words of the Saudi foreign ministry later cited by the national television, "in 10 days, some 24,000 foreigners entered Saudi Arabia on a tourist visa." To further encourage tourist arrivals, authorities announced that unmarried foreign couples will be allowed to rent hotel rooms together.
Travellers Flock to Saudi Arabia
News in Asia
During the first 10 days after introducing tourist visas, Saudi Arabia has already welcomed 24,000 tourists what shows a great interest to the country as a tourist destination from the world travellers.