Saudi's new tourist visas are bringing new visitors to the country. Now the rules have been relaxed for unmarried couples and solo female travelers.
Until now, couples had to provide proof of marriage before being allowed to share a room. Saudi nationals will still have to do this, but the rules have been relaxed for international visitors.
Foreign women traveling alone will also be able to book rooms for the first time. They will still be expected to dress modestly, according to the new visa rules. Previously, even international female visitors making a Hajj pilgrimage needed to be accompanied by a man -- usually a close relative -- known as a"mahram", if they were under 45.
Saudi Arabia hopes to attract an annual 100 million visitors by 2030, with tourism contributing up to 10% of GDP. The Arab kingdom is investing billions in building new resorts and theme parks as well as promoting its archeological treasures.But its poor record on human rights, security concerns heightened by recent attacks on its oil industry and last year's killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi -- which the kingdom has blamed on rogue state operatives -- are unlikely to help its ambitions to become a major tourism player.
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