Two weeks after the attacks on their oil facilities, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has opened its doors, allowing nationals of up to 49 countries including the United States, all of Europe and some Asian and African nations to enter its borders. After decades of strict limited access, previously only allowing citizens from neighboring states, those partaking in the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca or business travel, Saudi Arabia hopes to attract foreign tourists as it attempts to change its reputation on a global scale. The online application to obtain a multiple entry, 90-day tourist visa takes an approximate ten minutes and will allow visitors to explore the “adventure, heritage and history” said Ahmad Al-Khateeb, chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage.
Saudi Arabia is still well known for its below-standard record regarding women’s rights and is often harshly criticized abroad for its lack of dissent. Previously, women have been viewed as inferior to men, all foreigners were required to obtain local sponsorship in order to visit the kingdom and women were to follow the enforced driving ban which prevented them from being behind the wheel of a vehicle. These strict social policies have been slowly changing including a lift on the driving ban last summer and ceasing the segregation of sexes. The new tourism developments will loosen the strict culture of Saudi Arabia, including allowing foreign women to forgo the abaya — the traditional black cloak women wear to cover themselves. Modest dress, including covering shoulders and knees, even at public beaches, will be mandatory. Alcohol consumption is still strictly forbidden within the Islamic state. Will this deter tourists? Khateeb doesn’t believe it will. He notes that “Riyadh will offer heritage, food and many other great things… we have a lot to offer other than alcohol.”
The kingdom’s 2030 agenda includes increasing tourism economic contribution from three percent GDP up to ten percent, and plans on targeting tourists and appealing to foreign companies to invest in the tourism sector. Currently, Saudi Arabia welcomes 40 million international and domestic visits, mostly relying exclusively on those who travel to the country to partake in the religious pilgrimage for Hajj, and they hope to raise that number to 100 million annually in the next ten years. Saudi Arabia hopes to become one of the top five destinations globally and Khateeb and the rest of the nation believe that by using a mix of sand, sun and historical sights, Saudi Arabia can compete with the already established destinations in the area, such as Dubai.
With the new tourism developments, Saudi Arabia will be moving away from some of its old laws and into a new era working to transform its image on the world stage.
