Saudi Arabia recently announced new immediate e-visa options that will make it easier for UK, US, and Schengen visa holders, as well as permanent residents of the UK, US, and any EU country, to obtain tourist e-visas to Saudi Arabia via www.mofa.gov.sa. This is the latest step in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to make it simpler than ever for visitors to experience the Kingdom’s authenticity, in line with the country’s goal of attracting 100 million tourists annually by 2030.
Since opening to tourism in 2019, Saudi Arabia has become one of the world’s fastest-growing tourism markets, with 93.5 million arrivals anticipated in 2022. This accomplishment is the result of the extraordinary efforts made by destinations throughout Saudi Arabia to provide visitors with unmatched experiences and a seamless travel journey. The Saudi Tourism Authority is intensifying its efforts to facilitate international tourism. Through digitization, Saudi Arabia is expanding simplified entry routes for tourists, with the aim of allowing all visitors to appreciate the country’s natural and cultural diversity.
The new instant e-visa is one of several initiatives introduced by Saudi Arabia in the past year to enhance the visitor experience. In 2022, the Saudi Tourism Authority collaborated with the Pilgrim Experience Programme to introduce the Nusuk platform. Nusuk, Saudi Arabia’s first official integrated digital platform, provides pilgrims and visitors with an intuitive planning portal for their journeys to Makkah, Madinah, and beyond.
Saudi Arabia has previously extended regulations to provide visas on arrival to holders of valid US, UK, and Schengen visas as well as permanent residents of the UK, US, and any EU country, and e-visa eligibility has been extended to GCC residents. This year, Saudi Arabia also announced the introduction of a new Stopover Visa. The visa, which is free and available to SAUDIA and flynas passengers, is open to an even wider range of countries than the previous tourism e-visa, and will allow visitors to remain in the country for up to 96 hours.
Saudi Arabia is an underexplored destination with a rich cultural history and a wealth of attractions. In Diriyah, the origin of Saudi Arabia, tourists can enjoy upscale shopping and dining at Bujairi Terrace, and at the UNESCO World Heritage site in AlUla, they can immerse themselves in a living museum containing more than 200,000 years of human history. In Jeddah, tourists can explore the ancient historical district of Al Balad, and this year, the Red Sea Development, the world’s most ambitious luxury tourism destination, will open its first hotels, including Six Senses, St. Regis, and a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.
Source: traveldailymedia