saudi arabia tourist visa cost

The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia

Tourist Visa

For more information about the Tourist Visa and how to apply, please, Visit Saudi  website.

The only verifiable source for the tourist visa is the link provided on the Embassy’s website. Please do not use outside links as they cannot be verified and will not be accepted.

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Saudi Arabia Visa: A Complete Guide to Fees, Types, and Requirements

A lot of people who have never been to Saudi Arabia might know it for being an oil-rich state and the birthplace of Islam. While most tourists visit Saudi Arabia on religious pilgrimages, it is slowly opening up to leisure tourism.

That’s the reason they came up with the Saudi eVisa for tourism. And the Saudi Arabia visa system has been more streamlined since 2017.

It is also popular among expats who want to work there. For example, teaching English in Saudi Arabia comes with a lucrative salary usually. A lot of immigrants from India, Pakistan, Philippines, and other Asian as well as African countries also immigrate to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or KSA to work in many blue-collar jobs.

Table of Contents

Do I Need Visa for Saudi Arabia?

The short answer is yes, you do. Like many other countries in Asia such as Cambodia or Thailand, KSA needs the citizens of most countries in the world to come with a visa. And now that we are talking about it, getting a Cambodia visa or visa for Thailand is much simpler than a visa for KSA.

There are four countries whose citizens don’t need a visa for Saudi Arabia. Yep, you heard that right. People from these countries can enter with their ID cards. It’s like their mini Schengen zone.

• United Arab Emirates

Saudi Arabia Visa Types

Depending on teh purpose of your stay in the KSA, different Saudi visa types are available. Some of them can be applied online and some of them can only be obtained in a KSA consulate.

1. Saudi Arabia eVisa

Citizens of 51 countries/territories can obtain eVisas online or on arrival to Saudi Arabia. The KSA eVisa comes with a validity of 90 days.

Here are the countries whose citizens can get eVisa for Saudi Arabia. You can apply for a Saudi eVisa at the official website of Saudi Ministry of Tourism.

An eVisa can be granted for tourism, family visit or business purposes.

2. Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa

If you are not eligible to get an eVisa or visa on arrival for Saudi Arabia, you can get a visa from an embassy of KSA. The Saudi Arabia tourist visa will allow you to be in KSA for sightseeing and tourism purpose only.

3. Family Visit Visa for Saudi Arabia

A family visit visa for Saudi Arabia can be issued to foreigners who want to visit a family member in KSA.

To be eligible for this, you need to be a first line relative such as spouse, parents, children of the Saudi citizen.

You can apply Family Visit Visa online if you are from one of 51 countries eligible for eVisa or in a KSA embassy.

3. Saudi Arabia Business Visa

Foreign visitors wanting to visit KSA for business purposes such as meetings, trainings, business deals etc. can obtain a Saudi Arabi business visa.

4. Saudi Arabia Umrah Visa/Hajj Visa

Muslim pilgrims from all over the world can obtain a Umrah visa for Saudi Arabia free of charge at the Embassies or Consulates of Saudi Arabia.

If you are eligible for a Saudi Arabia eVisa, you can also use it to enter the Kingdom to perform Hajj/Umrah.

5. Saudi Arabia Work Visa

A Saudi Arabia work visa or employment visa can be issued to foreigners who will be gainfully employed in KSA. For this you need to have a job offer from an employer in Saudi Arabia.

Your employer has to procure a Saudi work permit for you, and then only you can apply for the Saudi employment visa in a Saudi embassy or consulate.

And once you receive the Saudi Work Visa and you enter the KSA, you also need to apply for a Residence Permit from the Ministry of Labor in KSA.

6. Student Visa for Saudi Arabia

If you want to study Arabic in the KSA or any other thing, you would need to get a Saudi student visa. In order to get it, you first need to be accepted in an accredited institute or university in the KSA first.

Then your university has to apply at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for authorization for the Saudi Student Visa. Once your visa is authorized, you can apply for a Saudi study visa at a consulate of the KSA.

7. Saudi Transit Visa

Citizens of many countries who need to fly to a third country en route to Saudi Arabia and are not visa exempt for the KSA, can get a Saudi transit visa.

But you don’t need a transit visa if

• You have a confirmed onward flight ticket a third country within 12 hours, and you don’t leave the international transit area of the airport.
• You are traveling via Dammam (DMM), Jeddah (JED) or Riyadh (RUH) international airport.
• You have a valid visa or residence permit or are visa-free for your final destination.

How to Apply Saudi Arabia Visa Online?

The only KSA visa that you can apply online is the Saudi eVisa, and that too if you are eligible for it. You can apply for it on the official website of Saudi Arabia .

Saudi Arabia Embassy Visa: How to Apply?

If you can’t get the Saudi visa online, you need to apply for KSA visa at a Saudi embassy in your country or any other country where you are a legal resident.

And it goes without saying that apart from the eVisa, any other visa like work visa or study visa can only be obtained from an embassy of Saudi Arabia.

And not to forget that different Embassies or Consulates always have their own way of doing things. And when it comes to Saudi Visa, most of them use authorized agencies for visa approvals.

So you can check for the visa requirements for Saudi Arabia in its embassy first, and then either make an appointment or contact the agency.

Here are all diplomatic missions of Saudi Arabia .

Saudi Arabia Visa Fees

Saudi Arabia visa fees can change without any notice and varies in different countries, and depending on the agency you are using. On top of that, you also have to pay VAT at the applicable rates.

Saudi Arabia Visa Agencies

A Saudi Visa application often involves the usage of an official agency approved by the KSA. So be it Umrah visa or work visa or visit visa, there is a big chance that you would need to deal with an agency rather than the embassy directly.

There are many fake agencies as well that cheat a lot of people. The official website of KSA embassy has a list of approved agencies for different countries, that you can contact for your visa application.

• Approved Saudi Visa Agencies in India
• KSA visa agencies in Canada
• Authorized agencies for Saudi Arabi visa for US citizens.

Saudi Visa Overstay

Trust me, you don’t want to overstay in the KSA. While there are many countries in South America or Asia where they might cut you some slack, in Saudi Arabia, they don’t play around with this.

You can be fined, deported or jailed or be punished with all three of them.

Can You Visit Saudi Arabia if You Have an Israeli Stamp?

As per Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, having an Israeli stamp on the passport does not disqualify someone from visiting Saudi Arabia. You can get an eVisa or Saudi embassy visa, and visit the KSA.

However, Israeli citizens are barred from visiting Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia Visa for US Citizens

US citizens can get an eVisa for Saudi Arabia as well as a visa on arrival if they want to go to the KSA for tourism, sports, leisure or business purposes.

But other visas such as Saudi work visa or student visa can be obtained through the Saudi embassy in Washington DC only.

Apply Saudi Visa via Mail

Saudi Embassy in Washington DC: 601 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington DC, 20037.

To apply for Saudi visa via mail, US citizens would need to

• include a pre-paid return label and envelope (from FedEx, UPS, or USPS only) with the return address label filled out completely.
• A proper pre-paid return envelope must include a “PRE-PAID” label. 
• No cash, credit card, or personal check will be accepted.

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New Saudi Arabia tourist visas: everything you need to know

The launch was announced in front of a gathering of the world's media in riyadh.

Abundant marine life in the Red Sea. Photos: Saudi Tourism Authority

Saudi Arabia has announced the launch of its new tourist visas, which will be available from today.

Tourists can obtain a 90-day, multiple entry visa to enter the country.

The new e-visa or visa on arrival services will be extended to 49 countries, including the UK, US, Canada and Australia.

It's expected the announcement will create one million new jobs for the  country by 2030.

Here's everything we know about the new visas:

How much does the Saudi tourism visa cost?

The visa will cost you SAR 440 (Dh431) plus VAT.

Where can you apply for the visa?

Tourists will be able to apply online for an e-Visa or gain a visa on arrival in Saudi Arabia. A dedicated online portal at  visitsaudi.com  has been launched, and electronic kiosks are available at airports.

How long is it valid for?

The tourist visa allows for a stay of up to 3 months per entry, with visitors able to spend up to 90 days a year in Saudi Arabia. The visa is valid for one year with multiple entries.

What countries are eligible to apply?

This, of course, discounts those from the GCC, who were already eligible for visa-free entry into Saudi Arabia.

Do female tourists need to wear an abaya?

An official statement on this has not yet been released, but it is understood that while both genders need to dress modestly to be respectful of the culture, wearing an abaya will not be enforced.

Why are the tourist visas being introduced?

Saudi Arabia first unveiled its plans to welcome tourists to the kingdom in December 2017, but in the years since, there had been little news – until recently.

Last week,  a slick new tourism campaign for the kingdom was launched , with a stunning video making the rounds on social media.

Previously, most visitors to Saudi Arabia were Muslims visiting to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage, or those on business trips. Tourist visas were only issued on an intermittent basis, and only for select group tours. It was particularly difficult for single women to visit the kingdom.

Earlier this month, the head of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, Ahmad Al Khatib,  said Saudi Arabia would open its doors  to international tourists before the end of this year.

Mr Al Khatib made the announcement during a meeting of the World Tourism Organisation in Russia.

It expands on the initial announcement in 2017, when Prince Sultan bin Salman said "all government approvals" were in place for the launch of electronic visas to "all nationals whose countries allow their citizens to visit" Saudi Arabia.

The proposal to issue the visas was then outlined in a report for the Arabian Travel Market 2018.

It highlighted the kingdom's target of 30 million visitors annually by 2030, and announced its intent to allow women older than 24 to visit the country without a male guardian.

Female tourists below that age will still need to be accompanied by a family member.

JEDDAH: UNESCO's World Heritage Committee inscribed the old city of Jeddah and the Gate of Makkah on the World Heritage List in 2014. Pictured: windows covered with wooden screens known as "mashrabaiya" adorn traditional buildings in the old city of Jeddah. AFP Photo.

Saudi Tourist visa

Table of contents, eligibility.

Any tourist visa Saudi Arabia issues is normally valid for 1 year and allow for a maximum 90-day stay in Saudi Arabia, unless otherwise stated. Saudi Arabia tourist visas are processed on a case-by-case basis and may be issued with a 3-month validity period, allowing its holder only a 1-month stay in Saudi Arabia. It is advised to check the Saudi Arabia visa that you have been issued, in order to avoid overstays in Saudi Arabia.

Processing Time

Foreign nationals eligible to apply for tourist visa Saudi Arabia will be issued a multiple entry Saudi e-Visa, while MOFA officials will issue GCC residents either a single or a multiple-entry Saudi e-Visa, depending on their individual case.

Saudi e-Visa requirements

Saudi arabia tourist e-visa.

Applicant must have a passport, valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Saudi Arabia or that meets the rules of reciprocity.

Personal photos

Applicant must submit one recent color photo; against a white background; 2x2 inches; 5 to 100 KB natural facial expressions; 80% face; no eyeglasses; no head wear, except for religious reasons.

Application

Apply for your Saudi Arabia tourist e-Visa by filling out an online Saudi visa application form, complete with your personal data, passport details, and other requested information.

Additional requirements for GCC residents

GCC residents, who hold a valid GCC residency visa, Saudi tourist visa if they meet the following Saudi e-Visa requirements, in addition to those listed above:

Residency visa

Applicant must hold a GCC residency visa that is valid for at least three months.

Applicants no longer need to hold an eligible occupation.

Application steps

We have made it easy to apply for a Saudi electronic visa. The simple online process requires you simply submit a completed Saudi e-Visa application, provide your passport details, and pay the Saudi visa application fees. Once approved, you will receive your Saudi e-Visa directly to the email you provided.

The 3-step Saudi Arabia tourist e-Visa application process is as follows:

Complete application form

Fill out the electronic Saudi visa application form , complete with your personal data, passport details, and other requested information.

Pay e-Visa fees

Pay the Saudi tourist visa cost securely online, using a valid credit or debit card.

Receive approved e-Visa

If approved, your Saudi e-Visa will be directly sent to the email you provided. Check that all visa information is correct and matches the information on your passport. Is your application for a Saudi tourist visa rejected? No worries, you can reapply for a new Saudi e-Visa.

If you are a GCC resident applying for a Saudi e-Visa, remember that you are required to hold a GCC residency that is valid for at least 3 months.

Visa extension

Saudi visa faq, how long is saudi tourist visa valid for, how long does it take to get a saudi e-visa, can i get a saudi visa-on-arrival.

A Saudi visa-on-arrival is available to foreign nationals from the 65 eligible countries.

What is the difference between a visit visa and a tourist visa?

A tourist visa is intended for travel for tourism purposes, while a visit visa indicates one of several visa types of temporary visit, including personal visit, business visa visit, family visits, and other activities.

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Home Saudi Arabia Visa Fee

Saudi Arabia Visa Fee

The most common query people often have regarding the new Saudi Arabia electronic visa system is the visa cost and how to pay the fees. There are many issues they are confused about, such as whether their financial information is safe or not and how to make online transactions successfully. Moreover, applicants are generally clueless about the differences between electronic or e-visa costs according to their selected visa categories, such as single or multiple entries, standard or urgent processing, and tourist or business visa . We have answered all your queries on this page and comprehensively explained Saudi Arabia visa fees.

Cost of Saudi Arabia E-Visa?

The Saudi Arabia e-visa cost varies according to your nationality, purpose of travel, and processing duration.

Choose your Country

Visa service fee.

You can choose three options when applying for the e-visa through this website. that visa cost is calculated when applying for the e-visa. It will include a service fee, which is a standard expense that every visa applicant must pay regardless of applying online or through an embassy.

• Rush: Visa costs 59.00 USD and issued within ( 1- 3 ) Working Days.
• Super Rush: Visa costs 99.00 USD and issued within 24 Hours.

Please note: The Rush and Super Rush options are feasible for those who need a visa within a day or a few hours. The cost would naturally be higher for these categories.

The sooner you want a visa processed, the higher it will cost. To reduce the e-visa cost, you must apply at least seven days in advance and choose the standard processing option. This option is ideal for those on a budget. Please be informed that health insurance is necessary for every traveler. The visa cost may also include health insurance costs covering the entire length of your stay in Saudi Arabia.

Is Saudi Arabia E-Visa Pricey?

It is natural to believe that the Saudi Arabia online visa system would be costlier than the traditional paper visa system because of the involvement of a third-party travel agency.

Since you are applying through a website that will look after your visa application and send it over to the relevant authorities, additional costs must be involved.

However, that’s not the case because a standard sticker or paper visa would be pricier than an e-visa. If you want to apply the conventional way, there’s no other way to visit the Saudi Arabia consulate or embassy. If there is none, you must visit a visa facilitation center. There will be transportation expenses that you will have to bear as well as the process will be time-consuming since you will have to provide documentation and visit the bank to pay the visa fees. In the end , a paper visa would always be costlier than an e-visa.

On the other hand, there aren’t any travel expenses involved when applying through this website. All you need is an internet connection, mobile or laptop, and fifteen minutes of your time to complete the process. You don’t need to take out printouts of your passport or other documents, just upload their digital scans and pay the visa fees online. It takes no more than a few minutes to process the transaction to pay the visa fees.

The fees are much less than a regular paper visa . Although processing charges are involved, you get three different options to choose from, so it is possible to apply for the visa well in advance and avoid paying higher costs for an urgent visa.

Is My Financial Data Safe?

Absolutely yes; your financial data is never shared with any third party. In fact, we do not store your banking information. If you are a registered member, even then, you will have to re-enter your credit or debit card details every time you apply for an e-visa through this website.

Please check out the terms and conditions regarding financial data safety. Please be confident that all your personal or financial information is kept confidential, and it is safe to apply for an e-visa and pay the visa fees.

How Can I Pay the E-Visa Fees?

There are two ways to pay your e-visa fees: a debit card and a credit card . For both methods, you will need a valid and active payment card. We accept American Express, MasterCard, and Visa . You can use your PayPal account to process the fees if you don't have a payment card. Ensure you enter the correct card number or account details to avoid unnecessary complications. We guarantee that your financial data is never stored on our website.

Frequently Asked Questions

All international tourists, visitors, and pilgrims must obtain an e-visa before traveling to Saudi Arabia. Citizens of 49 countries are eligible to apply for an e-visa. All you have to do is select the right visa category, upload necessary travel documents, and pay the visa fees to apply for a tourist or umrah visa online.

The e-visa is an official travel document obtained by completing an online visa application. The visa, if approved, allows the applicant to enter the KSA once or multiple times . The single-entry visa is valid for 90 days , and the multiple entry visa is valid for 360 days .

E-visa holders with multiple-entry travel permits can stay for a maximum duration of 90 days , whereas the visa is valid for one year. The traveler cannot stay longer than three months or 90 days on each entry.

• A valid passport with at least six months left in its expiration;
• A scan of your recent passport-size photo;
• An email address;
• A debit/credit card to pay the visa fees.

If you have made a mistake on your e-visa application form and have already submitted it, there isn’t anything you can do about it. It is impossible to make changes to your visa application once submitted. If your visa gets rejected, the fee will not be refunded, and you will need to apply again to obtain a visa.

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Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa: Fees, Documents, Time, and More

Saudi Arabia started welcoming people worldwide in 2019 with an e-visa program. You can get a visa that lets you visit multiple times for a year, staying up to 90 days each time. It is for tourists and Umrah (not during Hajj season), but not for studying.

This visa thing is a big deal for Saudi Arabia. Now, people from other countries can explore like culture, history, and landscapes. They have got mountains in Abha, the Empty Quarter, Red Sea beaches with its shifting sands.

Visa eligibility

If you are from one of the 49 countries on the list, you can easily apply for a tourist visa online using the simple eVisa platform before your trip or when you arrive in Saudi Arabia through the visa offices.

However, if you are from a different country, you need to get a consulate visa from Saudi Arabia’s offices outside the country. Good news for people with UK, US, or Schengen tourist or business visas is that you can get a visa when you arrive.

Fees and Validity

fees and how long you can stay:

• The tourist e-Visa costs SAR 535. This covers health insurance for your whole stay.
• If you are getting a visa on arrival, it is SAR 480.
• The multiple-entry tourist visa lets you stay for 90 days at a time, and it is good for a year.
• The single-entry tourist visa is valid for three months, and you can stay for 30 days.
• When you pay for the e-Visa or on arrival, use an international debit or credit card in Saudi Riyals.

Application information (Group A)

Visa on arrival and e-visa .

Let us know the important points about eVisa and visa on arrival:

• You need to be at least 18 years old to apply. If you are younger, find someone over 18 to be your guardian.
• Make sure your passport is good for at least six months when you enter Saudi Arabia.
• Refunds only if your visa is accepted. The fees are a done deal.
• If you overstay, it is SAR 100 for each extra day after your visa expires.
• Your religion does not matter when applying.
• Some countries (like the South Korea, USA, UK, and Japan) can use visa on arrival, eVisa, or consulate visa.
• No need for a return ticket or detailed accommodation information. Just the address is fine.
• You do not need a hard copy of the visa, but having a soft copy is good.
• In most cases, e-Visa takes 5-30 minutes to get approved.
• Airlines check if you are eligible before you fly to Saudi Arabia.

Important Links

Application information (Group B)

Consulate visa.

Let us keep it simple about applying for a Consulate Visa (Group B):

• You have to be 18 or older to apply. If you are younger, find someone 18 or older to be your guardian.
• Make sure your passport is good for at least 6 months when you enter Saudi Arabia.
• No refunds if they say no. The fees stick.
• Overstaying? It is SAR 100 for each extra day.
• Your religion does not matter when you are applying.
• No need for a sponsor.
• Proof of where you are staying.
• A return ticket.
• Proof that you are employed.
• Show you got some money (bank statement).
• Flight details.
• Your basic info and home address.
• It usually takes 1-2 business days to get your visa approved.
• Airlines check if you are good to go before you board the flight.

Saudi Tourist Visa Price

People may also ask, does saudi arabia give tourist visas.

Of course, being Indian, you can apply for a Saudi Arabia Tourist Visa in India. Saudi Arabia allows visitors from all over the world to apply for visas, among them being Indian passport holders interested in touring the country.

Is a Saudi visit visa open now?

With its new tourist visa, Saudi Arabia is welcoming the world.

Does the Saudi visit visa work online?

Requirements: Original valid passport for not less than six (6) months, having at least two (2) consecutive clean visa pages. To fill your online application and make a visa payment, please log on to https: //visa.mofa.gov.sa.

Do we submit a Saudi online visa application?

The government of Saudi Arabia has introduced the scheme, Saudi e-Visa or Saudi Arabia Tourist e Visa for tourists. It simplifies the visa application and encourages tourism in Saudi Arabia. For tourism purposes, visas of eligible countries can be obtained electronically.

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Saudi Arabia grants Umrah pilgrimage access to all visa holders

Times of India TIMESOFINDIA.COM / TRAVEL NEWS , SAUDI ARABIA / Updated : Apr 29, 2024, 09:45 IST

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To facilitate a smooth and hassle-free journey for Umrah pilgrims, the Saudi Ministry recommends using the Nusuk application to obtain Umrah permits. Additionally, pilgrims are advised to adhere strictly to designated timings for … Read more

To facilitate a smooth and hassle-free journey for Umrah pilgrims, the Saudi Ministry recommends using the Nusuk application to obtain Umrah permits. Additionally, pilgrims are advised to adhere strictly to designated timings for rituals at the Grand Mosque. Read less

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To facilitate a smooth and hassle-free journey for Umrah pilgrims, the Saudi Ministry recommends using the Nusuk application to obtain Umrah permits. Additionally, pilgrims are advised to adhere stric...

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Saudi Arabia: Hajj visa restricted to Jeddah, Medina, and Mecca; no work or residency permitted

Saudi Arabia specifies Hajj visa as sole entry permit for 2024 pilgrimage season

Dubai: Saudi Arabia has clarified that a Hajj visa is the only visa allowing pilgrims to perform the holy rituals of Hajj in 2024.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah emphasized that this visa strictly permits travel within the cities of Jeddah, Medina, and Mecca.

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It is not valid for work, residency, or travel outside these areas, with violations potentially leading to a ban on future Hajj participation and deportation.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah clarified that all international visitors, except those from GCC countries that require a Hajj permit, must obtain a Hajj visa.

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• New Hajj season: Saudi Arabia prepares for record numbers of pilgrims
• New Hajj regulation: Entry permit system for Saudi residents visiting Mecca from May 4

The visa is only valid for the duration of the Hajj season, and holders are also not allowed to perform Umrah during this time or engage in any employment, paid or unpaid.

To facilitate the process, the official website of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah now offers electronic registration for the Hajj visa through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' visa platform. Applicants must register by the 7th of Dhu Al Hijjah or until the quota of pilgrims is reached.

The application process includes logging into the visa platform, selecting the appropriate services, and following the instructions to upload necessary documents. Applications are typically processed within three working days, and it is advised to apply well in advance to ensure compliance with all regulations.

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Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Is Too Expensive For Tourists – And Everyone Knows It

Josh Corder , Skift

May 1st, 2024 at 9:31 AM EDT

Fancy a stay in the heart of Arabia? It'll cost you.

Josh Corder

Are Saudi Arabia’s new tourism offerings too pricey? That’s the sentiment on the ground at the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) in Riyadh this week.

Between now and the end of the decade, 320,000 new hotel rooms are expected to open in Saudi Arabia. According to Knight Frank, 82% of those new rooms are in the luxury and upscale segments. And 66% of Saudi’s current 149,400 rooms are also upscale and luxury.

Saudi eventually wants 70 million international tourists to come visit. But it was only in 2019 that it opened for tourism at all. Saudi had 27 million international visitors in 2023 – many of them came for religious travel rather than stays at newly-developed leisure hubs.

‘Ego Projects Are Going Away’

Radisson’s regional vice president of development, Elie Milky said on a panel at the summit that “ego projects” by private investors are becoming less prevalent.

“Emotional and ego investments are going away. We need to be in line with the tourism strategy but we need to help it in not only promoting five-star categories,” Milky said. “It’s too risky for some investors to go into a place with a five-star hotel. It might be a nice idea for a five-star hotel, but you might not see return on investment.”

Many developments are being funded by Saudi’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). Chaired by the crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, PIF owns and develops tourism sites such as Neom, Diriyah Gate and The Red Sea – three leisure destinations with a swell of luxury facilities.

“Giga-projects” are being built solely with five-star hotels. Some of them are planning to cap visitation as well, making it even tougher to accommodate 70 million visitors.

The Red Sea is one such example: The Maldives-like project along the Saudi coastline is planning to open 50 luxury hotels. The plan is to open 16 hotels by 2025, and another 34 before 2030.

To date, every hotel announced there has been a luxury name.

Despite costing billions, The Red Sea is going to chip in one-seventieth towards achieving international tourism goals. The site will limit visits upon completion to protect the environment.

‘Mid-Markets Democratize Travel’

With luxury projects not moving the needle much in achieving visitor goals, hotel developers are hammering for more economical brands.

At another session at the summit this week, Wyndham’s regional MD, Panos Loupasis said: “Saudi will become exclusive. That’s a problem. If you want to attract people, and have them come again and again, visit more cities, it can’t be so exclusive. Three-star hotels are enablers for travelers. They democratize travel.”

“The market is not well-educated in mid-scale brands. There seems to be a strong focus on luxury in Saudi,” added Leva Hotels CEO JS Anand, a Dubai-based operator serving mid-scale.

“Not everybody will pay $2,000 a night,” he added.

The CEO of a privately-held hotel developer and owner had similar thoughts. “Mid-market hotels are the core accommodation in any city. A lot of people in the segment are just looking for glitz and glamor rather than a real investment strategy,” said Tashyid Urban Development CEO Falih Motasim Hajaj.

Following the publication of this article, a spokesperson from Saudi Tourism Authority sent a statement to Skift acknowledging the importance of luxury accommodation but also the range of mid-market choices in the country.

“Luxury hotels and products are a key part of what we are developing in Saudi, and we know that for some of our target audiences, both domestically and internationally, having luxury destination hotels is essential to their experience,” the spokesperson said. “However, our strategy and ambition are much bigger than that, as set out in our national tourism strategy. It is not just about luxury, it’s about building a year-round offering that caters for visitors across all tiers.”

Luxury First, Mid-market Second

Accor is one of the biggest players in growing Saudi’s tourism and hospitality infrastructure. The French operator wants an additional 45 properties with more than 9,800 rooms by 2030 in Saudi.

In the major locations like the giga-projects, these will be luxury hotels, according to Accor’s Group Deputy CEO and Premium, Midscale & Economy Division CEO, Jean-Jacques Morin.

“Luxury is in the big leisure projects – Neom, Red Sea, Diriyah and so on,” he said. “We are by far the largest operator in the holy cities as well… While in second-tier cities we have a strategy for premium, midscale and economy.”

Are There Any Mid-market Hotels Opening Up in Giga-projects?

There are a few mid-market hotels, but they mostly act as lodging for incoming consultants, contractors and architects. The Red Sea has Turtle Bay hotel to put up staff in, while Trojena – one part of the Neom project – has a Hampton by Hilton up and running.

Even this hotel is commanding high rates as the only hotel for business people to use in the area.

“In terms of today, converting mid-scale hotels will drive super-normal profits,” said Hilton’s Managing Director, Development, Middle East & North Africa, Amir Lababedi. “As much as we can, we will convert existing buildings. Trojena has no hotels that any contractor can use. That’s why we brought the Hampton.”

He added that Hilton is looking at many of Saudi’s existing budget hotels as options for its new Spark brand.

Elsewhere in Neom, Oxagon has a Yotel on the way, again designed mostly for professionals.

How Many Annual Visits Saudi Projects Expect by 2030 :

• The Red Sea: 1 million
• Amaala: 500,000
• Trojena (a part of Neom): 700,000
• Sindalah (a part of Neom): 876,000
• Neom altogether: 5 million
• Diriyah: 50 million (including domestic day trips)

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Tags: diriyah , middle east report , neom , saudi news , Saudi Tourism , The Red Sea

Photo credit: Riyadh