Saudi Arabia Eases Travel Rules for Women
In a historic move, Saudi Arabia loosened its visa regime and opened its doors to international visitors for the first time. Details of a new visa regime will be announced on Friday evening (27 September) at a gala event at Ad-Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia Loosens Visa Regime
Saudi Arabia has long been one of the hardest countries in the world to visit; visas have until now largely been restricted to pilgrims, business people, and expatriate workers.
Saudi Arabia will drop its strict dress code for foreign women as it seeks for the first time to lure holidaymakers and the spending that could help develop the kingdom’s economy away from its reliance on oil.
Foreign women won’t have to wear an abaya, the flowing cloak that’s been mandatory attire for decades, though they’ll be instructed to wear “modest clothing,” said Ahmed Al-Khateeb, chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage and a key adviser to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Saudi Arabia’s tourist attractions
Visitors seeking unexplored heritage sites, an authentic cultural experience, and breathtaking natural beauty will be surprised and delighted to discover Saudi Arabia’s many treasures.
Saudi Arabia’s travel sites of interest include five UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
- Madain Saleh in Al-Ula, the largest conserved site of the civilization of the Nabataeans south of Petra in Jordan
- At-Turaif District in Ad-Diriyah is the first capital of the Saudi state.
- Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Mecca, is characterized by a distinctive architectural tradition.
- Rock Art in the Hail Region shows 10,000-year-old inscriptions of human and animal figures.
- Al-Ahsa Oasis, with 2.5 million date palms, is the largest oasis in the world.
Saudi Arabia is home to 13 regions, each with a distinctive cultural tradition. It is also home to flourishing contemporary culture, with highlights that include:
- The King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture in Dhahran
- The modernist sculpture park along the Corniche in Jeddah
- The Jameel House of Traditional Arts in Jeddah
- Nassif House in Jeddah’s Historical District
- The annual Flowerman Festival in Asir
- The Winter at Tantora festival in Al-Ula
- The Red Sea International Film Festival launching in March 2020
- Contemporary Saudi cuisine by Ali bin Yousef in Riyadh
- The art of Zahrah Al-Ghamdi, whose work is displayed at this year’s Venice Biennale
On Saturday, the government will open applications for online tourist visas for citizens of 49 countries, while others can apply at embassies and consulates overseas, Al-Khateeb told Bloomberg TV in Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia Loosens Visa regime Economic impact
Opening Saudi Arabia to tourism is a key milestone in the implementation of Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the country’s economy and reduce its dependence on oil.
Saudi Arabia expects to increase international and domestic visits to 100 million a year by 2030, attracting significant foreign and domestic investment and creating a million jobs.
By 2030, the aim is for tourism to contribute up to 10% of the Saudi GDP, compared to just 3% today.
Billions of dollars are being spent to improve infrastructure and develop heritage, cultural, and entertainment sites.
Saudi Arabia’s airport capacity is expected to increase by 150 million passengers per year, and an additional 500,000 hotel key cards will be needed across the country over the coming decade.
