Exploring Saudi Arabia's Tourism Push

Saudi Arabia is spending hundreds of billions of dollars to transform itself into a global vacation hotspot. With massive luxury developments and a relaxed visa process, the country wants you to visit. But with so much still under construction, you might be wondering if it is actually ready for tourists right now.

The Vision 2030 Master Plan

Saudi Arabia is working on an economic plan called Vision 2030. Spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the goal is to reduce the dependence of the country on oil revenues. A massive part of this plan involves tourism.

The government has pledged an estimated $800 billion to build new cities, luxury resorts, and entertainment districts. Originally, the goal was to welcome 100 million visitors annually by the end of the decade. Saudi Arabia actually hit that number in 2023, largely due to domestic travelers and religious pilgrims visiting Mecca and Medina. Now, the government has raised the target to 150 million total visitors by 2030. To hit this new number, they need to attract international leisure travelers.

Massive Megaprojects Underway

To get international tourists to visit, Saudi Arabia is building entirely new regions dedicated to luxury and adventure. Some of these are ready right now, while others are essentially giant construction sites.

AlUla and Ancient History

AlUla is currently the crown jewel of Saudi tourism and is fully ready for visitors. Located in the northwest of the country, it is home to Hegra. This is an ancient Nabataean city similar to Petra in Jordan, featuring giant tombs carved directly into sandstone boulders. AlUla is heavily developed for luxury travel. You can book stays at high-end resorts like the Banyan Tree and Habitas. The area also features Maraya, which holds the Guinness World Record as the largest mirrored building in the world.

The Red Sea Project

If you want a Maldives-style vacation, the Red Sea Project is beginning to open its doors. This development covers over 10,000 square miles of pristine islands and coastline. The St. Regis Red Sea Resort and the Six Senses Southern Dunes officially opened to guests in late 2023 and early 2024. Other major hotel brands like the Ritz-Carlton Reserve and Four Seasons are scheduled to open properties there soon. The area even has its own dedicated airport, the Red Sea International Airport, which handles domestic flights from Riyadh and Jeddah.

NEOM and the Future

NEOM is the most ambitious and futuristic project in the country. It is a planned $500 billion region in the northwest corner of Saudi Arabia. The most famous part of NEOM is The Line, a proposed mirrored city stretching across the desert. While The Line is years away from completion, other parts of NEOM are closer to reality. Sindalah, a luxury island resort in the Red Sea focused on yachting, is scheduled to open in late 2024. Trojena, a mountain resort that will host the 2029 Asian Winter Games, is currently under heavy construction.

Easing Entry and Building Infrastructure

Before 2019, it was nearly impossible to visit Saudi Arabia as a standard tourist. Visas were strictly limited to business travelers, expatriate workers, and religious pilgrims. That changed with the introduction of the tourist eVisa. Today, citizens from 63 countries, including the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, can apply online. The process takes only a few minutes and costs roughly $142. The visa is valid for one year and allows multiple entries.

Getting there is also about to get easier. Saudi Arabia is launching a brand new national airline called Riyadh Air. Backed by the Public Investment Fund, the airline is expected to take its first commercial flight in 2025. Riyadh Air aims to connect the Saudi capital to over 100 international destinations by 2030, directly competing with regional giants like Emirates and Qatar Airways. Furthermore, a massive new airport facility, the King Salman International Airport, is being built in Riyadh to handle the expected surge in passenger traffic.

Is Saudi Arabia Ready for You Today?

The answer to whether the destination is ready depends entirely on what kind of trip you want.

If you are looking for a highly polished, fully completed tourist circuit where everything is walkable and easily accessible, Saudi Arabia is not completely there yet. Major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah are experiencing massive growing pains. You will encounter heavy traffic and see construction cranes everywhere. Many of the planned museums, theme parks, and entertainment districts are simply dirt lots right now.

However, if you are an adventurous luxury traveler, the country is absolutely ready to host you. You can fly into Riyadh, take a short domestic flight to AlUla, spend three days exploring ancient ruins, and then fly to the Red Sea for a few days of scuba diving at a five-star resort. The existing tourist infrastructure at these specific sites is world-class.

Cultural Rules and Travel Realities

You must also consider the cultural differences before booking a flight. Saudi Arabia has relaxed many of its strict social codes, but it remains a deeply conservative Islamic country.

First, alcohol is strictly forbidden everywhere in the country. You cannot buy a cocktail at a luxury resort, and you cannot bring alcohol through customs. Second, dress codes remain important. Foreign women are no longer legally required to wear a traditional black abaya. However, both men and women are expected to dress modestly in public spaces, meaning shoulders and knees must be covered. Finally, you have to plan around the weather. From May through October, the heat is severe, often exceeding 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The best time to visit is strictly during the winter months between November and March.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can women travel alone to Saudi Arabia? Yes. The visa rules changed in 2019, allowing female tourists of any age to enter the country and travel freely without a male guardian.

Can you drink alcohol in Saudi Arabia? No. Alcohol is completely illegal throughout the entire country. This applies to citizens and tourists, even inside international luxury hotels.

Do female tourists have to wear an abaya? No, female tourists do not need to wear a headscarf or an abaya (the traditional long black cloak). However, tourists are expected to wear modest clothing that covers the shoulders and knees when in public areas.

How much does a Saudi tourist visa cost? The eVisa costs approximately $142 (535 Saudi Riyals) and includes a mandatory health insurance fee. It is valid for one year and allows for stays of up to 90 days at a time.