Saudi Arabia Launches New Tourism Plan with Major Lineup of Events

Saudi Arabia has launched a summer tourism plan to entice international and regional tourists with a wide range of incentives and products this season.   

Launched by the Saudi Tourism Authority, ‘Saudi Summer is Next Door’ offers visa incentives, major events, complimentary airline tickets for families, tax-free shopping, and access to enticing climate destinations in the Kingdom, including Aseer, Al Baha, Taif, Red Sea, Jeddah, Riyadh and AlUla.   

Offered until the end of September, the programme looks to incentivize tourists and make Saudi Arabia a more convenient destination for the summer. Initiatives include making eVisas available to citizens of 66 countries, reducing eVisa prices by 20%, increased flight connectivity with 1,100 weekly flights from Gulf cities to Saudi summer destinations, and more.   

Additionally, the Kingdom is looking to expand its hospitality infrastructure with 250,000 new hotel rooms, which are set to be added this year to accommodate the expected inflow of tourists.   

Saudi Arabia’s summer programme also showcases a lineup of major events, including the inaugural Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh, taking place from July 4th to August 25th, and multiple boxing tournaments in both Riyadh and Jeddah, such as the inaugural UFC Event.    

This initiative comes at a time where the Kingdom intends to embark on its transformative period in tourism. The campaign slogan, “Saudi Summer is Next Door,” invites both local and international tourists to discover Saudi Arabia’s varied attractions.

Photo: helienetan