Saudi Arabia announces that it will offer tourist visas to visitors in the future.

”Opening Saudi Arabia to international tourists is a historic moment for our country,” said tourism director Ahmed al-Khatib in a statement.

Starting a tourism industry is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's plans to find new income in the wake of the oil crisis.

Starting Saturday, citizens of 49 different countries – including Sweden – will be able to apply for a tourist visa to Saudi Arabia, reports Bloomberg News.

According to al-Khatib, the dress code for foreign women will also be relaxed somewhat. They will not be required to wear the full-length abaya, although el-Khatib says they must dress in ”decent clothes.”.

Visas to Saudi Arabia have so far only been granted to foreign workers, their relatives and Muslim pilgrims traveling to holy sites in Mecca and Medina.

Source: TT