Saudi Arabia to introduce visas for GCC residents soon: Al Khateeb

Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb

Saudi Arabia will introduce tourism visas for residents in the GCC countries soon, Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al Khateeb said.

Most GCC countries allow residents in the remaining six countries in the Gulf region entry into their countries with easy or immediate visas according to certain terms.

The tourism sector’s contribution to the Saudi gross domestic product (GDP) stood at 3% in 2019. The ministry’s strategy aims to reach the sector’s contribution to 10% by 2030, Al Khateeb added.
 

The sector’s contribution to employment also reached 3% in 2019, while the Kingdom targets to raise this to 10% by 2030, he told CNBC Arabia in an interview.
 

The number of international visitors from abroad reached 5 million in 2021, but the ministry eyes 12 million tourists from abroad this year.

Moreover, a total of 64 million domestic trips were made in the Kingdom during 2021, Al Khateeb added.