RIYADH: Saudi Arabia threw open its doors to foreign tourists on Friday , launching a new visa regime for 49 countries and appealing to foreign companies to invest in a sector it hopes will contribute 10 per cent of gross domestic product by 2030.
Visas will be available online for about US$80 , with no restrictions for unaccompanied women as in the past. Access to the Muslim holy cities of Mecca and Medina is restricted. The move is part of de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's ambitious plans to develop new industries to wean the world's top oil exporter off crude and open up society including by introducing previously banned entertainment.
Tourism is high on the crown prince's agenda, despite a shortage of infrastructure. To drive growth, Khateeb estimated some 250 billion riyals of investments are needed, including 500,000 new hotel rooms by 2030 - half at government-backed mega projects and half from private investors.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Saudi Arabia opens to tourists with investment appeal and no abaya ruleRIYADH (REUTERS) - Saudi Arabia threw open its doors to foreign tourists on Friday (Sept 27), launching a new visa regime for 49 countries and appealing to foreign companies to invest in a sector it hopes will contribute 10 per cent of gross domestic product by 2030.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »
Saudi Aramco restores oil output earlier than expectedLONDON: Saudi Arabia has restored its oil production capacity to 11.3 million barrels per day, three sources briefed on Saudi Aramco's operations ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »
Pentagon to send radar, Patriot missiles to bolster Saudi defencesWASHINGTON: The Pentagon said on Thursday (Sep 26) it plans to send four radar systems, a battery of Patriot missiles and about two hundred ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »
Khashoggi murder 'happened under my watch', says Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin SalmanRIYADH (REUTERS) - Saudi Arabia's crown prince said he bears responsibility for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year by Saudi operatives 'because it happened under my watch,' according to a PBS documentary to be broadcast next week.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »
Saudi Arabia opens to tourists with investment appeal and no abaya ruleRIYADH (REUTERS) - Saudi Arabia threw open its doors to foreign tourists on Friday (Sept 27), launching a new visa regime for 49 countries and appealing to foreign companies to invest in a sector it hopes will contribute 10 per cent of gross domestic product by 2030.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »
Saudi Aramco restores oil output earlier than expectedLONDON: Saudi Arabia has restored its oil production capacity to 11.3 million barrels per day, three sources briefed on Saudi Aramco's operations ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »