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RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is allowing foreign men and women to rent hotel rooms together without proving they are related, as it launches a new visa scheme to attract tourists and holidaymakers.
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 visitors to stay together.
The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage confirmed a report on Friday saying: “All Saudi nationals are asked to show family ID or proof of relationship on checking into hotels. This is not required of foreign tourists. All women, including Saudis, can book and stay in hotels alone, providing ID on check-in.”
Saudi Arabia threw open its doors last week to foreign tourists from 49 countries as it tries to diversify its economy away from oil exports.
As part of the move, it decreed that visitors need not wear all-covering black robes but should dress modestly. However, alcohol remains banned.
Saudi Arabia has been relatively closed off for decades and until recently unrelated men and women, including foreigners, could be severely punished for mixing in public. Strict social codes have been relaxed in recent years and previously banned entertainment has flourished.
The authorities are aiming for 100 million annual visits by 2030.
The kingdom ended a ban on women driving last year and in August granted women new rights to travel abroad. The changes are part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s ambitious economic and social reform agenda.
Until now, foreigners traveling to Saudi Arabia have been largely restricted to resident workers and their dependents, business travelers, and Muslim pilgrims given special visas to visit the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah.
