The Saudi authorities have so far issued 96,000 electronic tourism visas to visitors from all over the world.
The authorities launched the new e-visa system last month in a bid to boost the tourism sector a part of a strategy to diversify the economy, develop non-oil sectors and reduce gradually reduce the country’s dependence on oil.
The new e-visa was initiated by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) to allow citizens of 49 states to obtain visas through the platform visa.visitsaudi.com, or at the visa desk upon arrival at the airport, reports Alyaum.
Around 24,000 foreign visitors entered Saudi Arabia during the first 10 days after the official launch of the new e-tourism visas.
According to the latest statistics, China tops the list in terms of tourists visiting Saudi Arabia, followed by the UK and US, with Canada, Malaysia and Russia following.
The Saudi authorities hope, by introducing the new visa system, to generate up to one million jobs and achieve the target of attracting 100 million tourists by 2030.
SOURCE : ALBILAD