The kingdom of Saudi Arabia opens to tourists
Saudi Arabia opens its doors to tourists interested in visiting the kingdom for more than religious reasons. The Middle Eastern kingdom announced a new e-visa program on Friday that will allow people from 49 nations to enter the country for tourism, for stays as long as three months. Visas were previously restricted to business travelers and Muslim pilgrims who are given special visas to visit the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. As part of the move, it decreed that visitors need not wear all-covering black robes but should dress modestly. Alcohol remains banned. And there is more: in its bid to attract holidaymakers, Saudi Arabia is allowing foreign men and women to rent hotel rooms together without proving they are related. Women, including Saudis, are also permitted to rent hotel rooms by themselves, in a break with previous regulations. The moves appear to pave the way for unaccompanied women to travel more easily and for unmarried foreign visit