Saudi Arabia plans to start issuing tourist visas “soon”, authorities said on Tuesday, as the ultra-conservative kingdom seeks to attract international visitors in a radical overhaul of its oil-dependent economy.
Tourism is seen as a major driver of growth as the kingdom attempts to wean itself off its dependence on petrodollars amid a protracted oil slump, reports BSS.
“Tourist visas will be introduced soon,” Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, head of the Saudi tourism authority, was quoted as saying in a statement. He did not specify a time frame.
Muslim pilgrims take a mobile photo at Mount Al-Noor, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia
Aside from millions of Muslims who travel to Saudi Arabia for the annual hajj pilgrimage, most visitors currently face a tedious visa process and exorbitant fees to enter the kingdom.
Prince Sultan’s comment comes ahead of Saudi Arabia’s first archaeology convention in Riyadh next week as the government seeks to showcase some of its historic sites.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in August announced a massive tourism project to turn 50 islands and a string of sites on the Red Sea into luxury resorts. Although richly endowed with natural beauty, the kingdom is hardly seen as a tourism hotspot.
Alcohol, cinemas, and theatres are still banned in the kingdom, an absolute monarchy and one of the world’s most conservative countries.
But authorities in recent months have sought to project a moderate image with a string of reforms, including the decision allowing women to drive from next June.
The kingdom is also expected to lift a public ban on cinemas and has encouraged mixed-gender celebrations — something is seldom seen before.
The moves appear designed to protect the kingdom in a favorable light as it seeks to attract badly needed foreign investment.
