Non-Muslim tourists can now stay in a hotel overlooking the Kaaba in Mecca (SAMAREEN/Shutterstock).

Islamic Lifestyle

Tourists flock to Saudi Arabia as the country opens to foreign visitors


Non-Muslims can visit the holy precinct of Medina right up to the perimeter as the kingdom implements its Vision 2030 as “a tolerant country with Islam as its constitution and moderation its method”.

 

Dubai: Curious international tourists are discovering an unexpected openness in a society long considered one of the world’s most conservative. Until recently, Saudi Arabia was largely restricted to business travellers, expatriate workers and pilgrims and the holy cities of Madina and Mecca were off bound for non-Muslims.

However, since the country opened to international tourists in September 2019 with the launch of its e-visa programme, things have been quickly changing.

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tags:

Saudi Arabia
Heritage
Tourism
Religious tourism
Great Mosque of Mecca