Saudi Arabia Opens Its Doors to Foreign Tourists

Saudi Arabia is changing its tourism policies, allowing citizens from 49 nations to apply for visas online and permitting women tourists to forego the traditional abaya. The country aims to be a top global destination and wants tourism to contribute 10% to its GDP by 2030. Despite competition from established destinations like Dubai, Saudi Arabia believes its mix of sun, sand, and historical sites, along with a large domestic population, will support its tourism goals.

What percentage of GDP does Saudi Arabia aim to achieve from the tourism industry by 2030?

What factors do the Saudis believe will support domestic tourism?