• The new service would be launched within the next few days.
• The target is to lure more tourists to the nation.
• The visa will allow arrivals in the country to move into the country.

Cairo: Saudi Arabia‘s national carrier, Saudia, has announced the impending debut of a tourist visa for entering the kingdom when purchasing an airline ticket as part of the country’s attempts to promote tourism.

According to Okaz newspaper, Abdullah Al Shahrani, spokesman for the airline, the new service would be launched within the “next few days,” offering free issuance of a four-day visa on purchasing a ticket to enter the kingdom for tourism and conducting the Islamic minor pilgrimage or Umrah.

In keeping with Saudi Vision 2030, an ambitious development plan targeted, among other things, to lure more tourists to the nation, he emphasized the activation of the carrier’s digital infrastructure to enable Saudia travelers to receive tourist visas when purchasing their tickets.

“The visa will allow arrivals in the country to move in the country, attend occasions, meetings and ceremonies as well as undertake Umrah rites,” Al Shahrani said.

“Saudi Arabia Airlines has worked in this regard with several sectors, namely the ministries of foreign affairs, the interior, as well as Hajj and Umrah and the Pilgrims’ Service Programme,” he added.

Meanwhile, Saudia intends to increase foreign flights by 40% and add 500,000 seats to local flights, according to the official.

He also told Asharq TV that the carrier will receive ten new planes in 2023 to keep up with development.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has pushed to entice foreign tourists to the kingdom, offering a range of amenities including the issuing of tourist visas on arrival or online for citizens of various nationalities.

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