Home Care In Mecca, IN

Published on November 11, 2025

Saudi Arabia, known for its luxury resorts along the Red Sea and in cities like Riyadh and Jeddah, is now expanding its tourism strategy. In a bold shift, the kingdom is building mid-range and budget-friendly options, focusing on attracting a broader range of visitors. The new strategy aims to offer more affordable stays for middle-class travelers and religious pilgrims visiting Mecca and Medina. The move is part of the ambitious Vision 2030 plan, which seeks to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy and boost tourism to 150 million annual visitors by 2030. With tens of thousands of new hotel rooms and resorts set to open, including on Shebara Island, this transformation promises to reshape the tourism landscape. Whether you’re visiting for religious purposes or leisure, Saudi Arabia is set to become a top destination for all types of travelers.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision for a New Tourism Era

Saudi Arabia’s tourism ministry has revealed an ambitious plan to cater to a much larger demographic of visitors. After years of focusing on ultra-luxury resorts, the kingdom is now prioritizing mid-range and upper-middle-class tourism offerings. This change in strategy reflects the government’s efforts to tap into a more diverse market, especially those who may not be able to afford the high-end resorts that have previously dominated the Saudi tourism scene.

The most significant part of this shift is the planned opening of new resorts that will offer affordable accommodation options, especially on Shebara Island, one of the kingdom’s most beautiful and exclusive destinations. These resorts are expected to be priced far lower than the luxury $2,000-per-night options currently available. With this move, Saudi Arabia plans to widen its appeal to tourists of all budgets, enabling many more international travelers to visit.

The Expanding Religious Tourism Sector

One of the most critical areas of tourism in Saudi Arabia has always been religious tourism. The pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, known as Hajj and Umrah, draws millions of Muslims every year. With Vision 2030, the kingdom is aiming to double the number of pilgrims visiting these holy cities, boosting the total to a staggering 30 million by the end of the decade.

This goal will be supported by a significant increase in available accommodations. Saudi Arabia plans to add tens of thousands of new hotel rooms across Mecca, Medina, and other areas frequented by religious visitors. These efforts will not only cater to religious pilgrims but also provide more diverse and budget-friendly options. This makes the kingdom even more accessible to the growing number of people seeking to undertake the pilgrimage each year.

New Visa Policies to Open Doors for Tourists

To further bolster its efforts to increase tourism, Saudi Arabia is introducing a new visa system designed to make travel to the kingdom easier, especially for residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The new Schengen-style visa is set to launch by 2026 or 2027 and will enable visitors from neighboring countries to enter Saudi Arabia with greater convenience, encouraging short-term visits, including for both leisure and religious purposes.

This development is expected to be particularly attractive to travelers from within the region, who will now have a simpler way to access the kingdom. Whether for a holiday or a religious journey, the new visa policy will lower barriers and make Saudi Arabia a more appealing destination for those already familiar with the Gulf region.

Tips for Traveling to Saudi Arabia

For Religious Pilgrims:

For Leisure Travelers:

With its extensive plans for tourism infrastructure, accommodation expansion, and the launch of an easier visa process, Saudi Arabia is rapidly transforming into a globally significant tourism hub. The kingdom’s push for diversification away from oil dependence makes tourism a critical pillar of its future economy. This proactive approach is beginning to yield real results, with more affordable resorts and accommodations making it a viable destination for all types of travelers.

As the country continues to develop and grow, it is clear that Saudi Arabia is committed to building an inclusive tourism market that caters to visitors of all economic backgrounds. From the bustling streets of Riyadh to the serene pilgrimage sites of Mecca and Medina, Saudi Arabia offers a wealth of experiences waiting to be discovered.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Saudi Tourism

As Saudi Arabia moves forward with its Vision 2030 tourism plan, it is poised to become a global leader in attracting a diverse range of visitors. With a balanced approach that blends luxury with more affordable options, along with a focus on increasing religious tourism, the kingdom is redefining its position on the world tourism map. Whether you are coming for a religious pilgrimage or a beach vacation on the Red Sea, Saudi Arabia is set to welcome millions of new visitors in the coming years.

Saudi Arabia will allow foreign nationals to purchase property, including in Mecca and Medina, starting January 2026, under new regulations.

Saudi Arabia is close to completing regulations that would allow foreign nationals to buy property in the kingdom starting January 2026, including in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. The move marks one of the most significant steps yet in Riyadh’s push to open its real estate market to international investors.

Bloomberg reported, citing Fahd bin Sulaiman of the General Real Estate Authority, that officials are still reviewing which specific zones in Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca and Medina will be accessible to foreign buyers. He said the final list would be released alongside the new regulations.

According to the official, foreign ownership in designated zones may be capped between 70% and 90%, a limit aimed at balancing investment flows while retaining domestic control. The cap would vary depending on local market conditions and urban planning requirements.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously said that property buyers in Mecca and Medina must be Muslims, but added that they would not face other major restrictions once the rules are implemented. The condition reflects long-standing sensitivities surrounding the two cities, which host Islam’s holiest sites.

The kingdom approved sweeping changes to its property ownership law in July this year, part of a broader economic transformation plan seeking to diversify revenue sources and attract foreign capital. Authorities have said the reforms are key to boosting housing supply, modernising urban centres and supporting Vision 2030 development goals.

Saudi regulators have also eased barriers in the capital markets, allowing greater foreign participation. Further steps are expected soon, potentially enabling international investors to own shares in a wider set of Saudi companies.

The planned expansion of property rights is viewed by analysts as a test of investor confidence in the kingdom’s long-term economic direction. If implemented smoothly, the rules could trigger a surge of regional and global interest in Saudi real estate.

Still, questions remain over pricing, regulatory transparency and the pace of urban development. Investors will be watching how Riyadh manages these concerns as it prepares to open some of its most sensitive and strategically important areas to foreign ownership for the first time.