Saudi Arabia to Issue Non-Religious Tourist Visas Human Heritage Museum, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, May 3--Saudi Arabia said it would start issuing non-religious tourist visas to foreigners in a bid to develop the sector in the kingdom, Trade Arabia said.
Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, secretary-general of the Supreme Commission for Tourism, said tour guides would be allowed to operate from June in the country.
Saudi Arabia sees up to two million people arrive for the annual Haj pilgrimage. It also issues visas for Umra, a lesser pilgrimage.
“There are no exceptions, we want to open up to people who are not coming for Umra or for investment, “ Prince Sultan said at a travel conference in
Dubai.
But Prince Sultan said the kingdom would offer its own brand of entertainment, including tours of historic sites, family-oriented activities and sporting events.
“Nightlife can mean anything... We can provide you a very valuable experience that will hit your soul and your mind and send you home sober, “ Prince Sultan said.
“We will be opening up villages and small towns for local visits. We’re looking at resorts, multi-use leisure programs, “ he said, adding that the country would also host conferences and boost internal tourism.
Apart from the holy cities of Mecca and Medina--which are off limits to non-Muslims--the kingdom boasts ancient sites including Mada’in Saleh, a 2, 000-year-old Nabatean city carved into the rocks of Saudi Arabia’s northern desert.
