Saudi Arabia has announced the expansion of its electronic visa program to include 30 more countries, part of its Vision 2030 plan to diversify the economy beyond oil. The move allows easier access for tourists to historic sites like AlUla, Riyadh, and Jeddah.
Officials said the initiative aims to attract 100 million visitors annually by the end of the decade. Already, investments are flowing into hospitality, entertainment, and cultural heritage projects.
For South Asian travelers, particularly from India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, this could mean better opportunities for business, work, and religious tourism beyond the Hajj and Umrah framework.