Saudi Arabia to issue first tourist visas in 2018

Saudi Arabia is set to finally open its borders to conventional tourists, with the country planning to issue its first tourist visas in 2018. Previously, visas to the country were restricted to only those travelling for work or to visit its holy sites. "The targets are people who want to literally experience this country and the grandness of this country," Prince Sultan bin Salman, head of the Saudi tourism and national heritage commission, told CNNMoney's Richard Quest. According to CNN, the new tourism initiatives are a key factor in Saudi Arabia’s plan to reduce its reliance on the oil industry. The country is targeting 30 million visitors annually by 2030, as compared to 18 million in 2016. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia wants to increase annual tourism spending to $47 billion by 2020. A number of ambitious projects have also been announced in a bid to make the country more tourism friendly. These include plans to build resorts on 100 miles of the Red Sea coastline and a Six Flags theme park. Plans for a $500 billion metropolis that will extend across Saudi Arabia's borders into Egypt and Jordan have also been unveiled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. "Saudi Arabia holds tremendous tourist potential due its favorable temperature, historical and cultural heritage, natural beauty and rich marine life," said Nikola Kosutic, senior research manager at Euromonitor, as quoted by CNN. "But it is surrounded by politically unstable countries where security has always been an issue," he added.