Dubai: Saudi Arabia has lifted some restrictions on women travelling in the ultraconservative Muslim kingdom, its tourism authority said Sunday. The new guidelines will allow women to rent hotel rooms without a male guardian’s presence, and foreign men and women to share a room without proof of marriage.
The easing of stringent regulations governing social interactions comes after Riyadh launched its first tourist visa scheme, as part of efforts to open up the country to foreign visitors and diversify its oil-reliant economy.
The Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage posted Sunday the new requirements Sunday, confirming a Friday report by the Saudi daily ‘Okaz’.
The commission said women will be allowed to rent hotel rooms with proof of identity — an ID card for Saudi women, residency card for foreign residents living in the kingdom or passport for tourists.
The same would be required of foreign couples, without the need for them to present a marriage certificate. Previously women needed permission from a male guardian to rent a hotel room.
Women will also be allowed to rent hotel rooms without any form of identification if they have a male guardian present who does have proof of identity, the commission stated.
The move comes amid deep reforms over the past year by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman which has lifted a ban on movie theatres in the kingdom and the world’s only ban on women driving.
Saudi Arabia announced the new tourist visa scheme last week and said it was aiming to increase tourism to contribute up to 10 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) as compared to three per cent currently. For the launch of its new visa, the country was highlighting five UNESCO World Heritage sites, contemporary art sites and natural sites including the Red Sea, desert and mountains.
Previously visitor visas were issued only for specific reasons such as for Muslim religious pilgrimages, to visit family or for business.
AP