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Historically conservative and closed, winds of change are sweeping through the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Under the leadership of its visionary leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), Saudi Arabia recognizes the need to diversify its economy to embrace the post-oil horizon.
In Saudi Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia seeks to transform itself into the next tourism Eldorado. Here, we take a closer look at Saudi Arabia’s monument planning and strategy.
Saudi Vision 2030
Saudi Vision 2030 is a strategic framework for Saudi Arabia to reduce its dependence on oil, expand its economy and develop public services through tourism, education, infrastructure, etc.
Among others, Saudi Vision 2030 aims to present Saudi Arabia as a more open, tolerant and secular country. Achieving this means focusing on developing the tourism industry in this ultra-conservative society, which has traditionally neglected to welcome international visitors outside of pilgrimage and business-related visits.
As it is now, traveling to Saudi Arabia for leisure and tourism is as easy as booking your flights and hotels through popular online booking platforms like Wego.
Mega projects
The Saudi Arabian government has poured billions of dollars into massive tourism projects planned by the Crown Prince across the country.
On the subject NEOM, Saudi Arabia’s $500 billion future megacities are being built from the ground up in Tabuk province. NEOM’s role as a future smart city and tourist attraction is strengthened by its special status as an economic zone to host investments in technologies. It is located north of the Red Sea, east of Egypt with the Gulf of Aqaba and south of Jordan.
In July 2017, the giant The Red Sea Project It was announced by the government of Saudi Arabia. The Red Sea Project, part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, is a massive luxury and sustainable tourism development involving vast natural resources comprising 90 pristine islands, dormant volcanoes, heritage sites and coral reef divers areas. The mega project, which is easily the size of Belgium, is set to welcome guests following the opening of the Red Sea International Airport in late 2022.
It has been dubbed a luxury tourist development flanked by the Red Sea Project to the south and NEOM to the north. Amala project It transports guests on a transformative journey through top wellness retreats, luxury resorts and recreational activities. The luxury health care complex is in the center of a magnificent 3,800 square kilometer nature reserve named after the Crown Prince.
Redevelopment of historical places
Efforts have been made to promote and encourage travelers to the Al Ula region to visit the ancient carved city of Madain Salih, the ruins of which were built by the Nabataeans 2,000 years ago.
The port city of Yanbu, a few hours away from Medina, offers an ancient spice route that is said to have been crossed by Lawrence of Arabia at the turn of the 20th century. Yanbu is famous for its oil refineries, industrial factories and the illuminated streets of Souk Al Leil (Night Market).
To provide more exposure, The Saudi Tourism Authority is currently promoting the 6,000-year-old Al Ahsa Oasis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Covered by 2.5 million date trees, travelers to Al Ahsa are greeted by historic mosques, hot and cold springs, and panoramic views of the surrounding desert and beyond.
While the government seems to have made no effort to change the landscape of global tourism, Saudi Arabia is determined to achieve its 2030 vision of an open and welcoming society where economic growth and development opportunities are perfectly aligned.
Tourism initiative
In the year The goal is now ambitious to attract 100 million tourists by 2030, including 55 million international visitors and 45 million domestic visitors. The government of Saudi Arabia has taken steps and plans to significantly increase the demand for tourism in the coming years.
One of the most notable initiatives was the issuance of Saudi tourist visas in September 2019 before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. For the first time since the country’s establishment, travelers from 49 countries have been given the opportunity to visit Saudi Arabia for non-religious tourism purposes. After two years of the pandemic, Saudi Arabia is issuing visit visas again.
Other fundamental changes have also been proposed to boost tourism. These significant changes can also be considered as social reforms, unmarried couples are now free to stay in any hotel in Saudi Arabia.
Moreover, women can travel to Saudi Arabia without a male guardian and there is no law that prohibits female travelers from wearing a burqa/veil during their visit. Women are also now allowed to drive, allowing female visitors to rent a car on their Saudi trip.
However, alcohol is still a hot topic and the authorities have not yet announced any changes in this regard. While this is pure speculation, the Saudi government may negotiate by establishing zones or areas where people are allowed to consume alcohol.
In addition, Saudi tourism authorities have participated in several domestic and international tourism exhibitions while managing and marketing tourism destinations, places, packages, products and itineraries internally and externally.
So far, more than 3,500 tourism investment permits have been issued, according to the Saudi Tourism website.
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