Saudi Arabia plans to resume tourist visas “very soon” after suspending them months ago because of the coronavirus, a Saudi official told Bloomberg, as the Kingdom looks to resume its drive to attract tourists to visit historical sites and new attractions.
Saudi Arabia shut its borders to both residents and tourists alike to combat the global Coronavirus pandemic in 2020. On May 17th, the Kingdom once again allowed residents to travel abroad to certain countries and those abroad to return home, under certain rules and guidelines.
Tourism chief Ahmed Al-Khateeb.
In the fall of 2019, Saudi Arabia formally announced that tourist visas will be issued for the first time to visitors from 49 countries around the world. Previously, such a broadly available tourist visa was unavailable to travelers, and the Kingdom was only seen by those who visited for the purpose of business or religious pilgrimage. But Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reversed that decades-long moratorium on the common traveler to Saudi Arabia in hopes of creating economic growth and diversifying the Kingdom’s economy, as well as creating thousands of jobs for Saudis. Developing a strong tourism sector is one of the centerpieces of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 social and economic reform plan.
When announced, the Kingdom’s top tourism official Ahmed Al-Khateeb called the introduction of tourism to Saudi Arabia a historic moment.
“Opening Saudi Arabia to international tourists is a historic moment for our country,” Al-Khateeb said. “The Kingdom opens its doors to the world at this historic moment, and we are a people that welcomes visitors and offers hospitality to guests…Visitors will be surprised… by the treasures we have to share — five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a vibrant local culture and breathtaking natural beauty.”
Authorities are hoping the sector will contribute 10% of gross domestic product by 2030, Bloomberg notes.
Developing an attractive tourist destination in Saudi Arabia is drawing big investments from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and foreign investors. Brand new and ambitious resorts are being built on Saudi Arabia’s pristine Red Sea coastline as well as new entertainment districts and developments across Saudi Arabia’s biggest cities. The Kingdom is also developing access to a handful of historic sites, including at Al-Ula, where rock carvings and ancient structures from the Nabatean civilization dating back to the 6th century BC have drawn global interest for their beauty and significance as part of the human story.
Meanwhile, this week, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) opened its first regional office for the Middle East, located in Riyadh. The new office will serve as a hub for UNWTO to coordinate policy and initiatives across its 13 member states in the region, authorities said.
