Saudi Arabia expects three million tourists in five years

Saudi economic sources stated that Riyadh expects three million tourists during the next five years, after the latest decision of the Saudi Cabinet to grant tourism visas to foreigners visiting Saudi Arabia, excluding these for pilgrimage, the minor Haj or work.

These visas will allow visits to historical locations and attendance at Saudi fairs, conventions and festivals.

The sources said that it is expected that those tourists will spend $2.7 million (10 million Saudi riyals), and despite the fact that some Saudi tourism areas lack tourist facilities the sources affirmed that these hotels do not form a big obstacle impeding the comprehensive tourism development Saudi Arabia intends to carry out next year.