• Safinat Haql on the Gulf of Aqabah. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Safinat Haql on the Gulf of Aqabah. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • Edge of the World in Riyadh. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Edge of the World in Riyadh. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • Al Farid at Madaen Saleh in Al Ula. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Al Farid at Madaen Saleh in Al Ula. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • A street market in Al Balad, Jeddah’s historical district. Reem Mohammed / The National
    A street market in Al Balad, Jeddah’s historical district. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • Minaret of Masjid Al Farah in Al Balad, Jeddah’s historical district. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Minaret of Masjid Al Farah in Al Balad, Jeddah’s historical district. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies in Riyadh. Reem Mohammed / The National
    King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies in Riyadh. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • At-Turaif district in Ad-Dariya. Reem Mohammed / The National
    At-Turaif district in Ad-Dariya. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • Saudi traditional dance performance inside the At-Turaif district in Ad-Dariya. Reem Mohammed / The National
    Saudi traditional dance performance inside the At-Turaif district in Ad-Dariya. Reem Mohammed / The National
  • A date farm in Al Ula. Al Ula is known for its dates export. Reem Mohammed / The National
    A date farm in Al Ula. Al Ula is known for its dates export. Reem Mohammed / The National

Saudi Arabia to welcome vaccinated tourists from August 1


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Saudi Arabia will allow vaccinated tourists into the country without the need for quarantine from August 1.

Vaccinated tourists will have to provide an inoculation certificate on arrival and register their vaccine data on the designated portal "Muqeem", the Ministry of Tourism said.

The Saudi Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al Khatib, said the country was ready to welcome tourists again.

Travellers must have had two doses of vaccines approved by the kingdom, which include those produced by Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca and Moderna.

Visitors to the kingdom are also required to register on the "Tawakkalna" app, which must be used to enter all public places, including offices.

“We focused our efforts during the downtime, in close co-operation with our partners in all sectors, to ensure a safe return through which visitors to the kingdom can enjoy exploring its tourist treasures, important destinations and landmarks, unique tourist experiences, and learn about the culture of generosity and hospitality that characterises the Saudi society,” Mr Al Khatib said.

Saudi Arabia launched tourist visas in September 2019 as it opened doors to foreign visitors other than pilgrims for the first time, under its Vision 2030.

The country issued 400,000 visas within six months before the borders were closed again because of the pandemic.

Saudi Arabia's UNESCO sites - in pictures

  • The Red Sea port location of Historical Jeddah is included on the Unesco World Heritage List
    The Red Sea port location of Historical Jeddah is included on the Unesco World Heritage List
  • Historical Jeddah used to be hub of traders and Muslim pilgrims
    Historical Jeddah used to be hub of traders and Muslim pilgrims
  • Rock art in the Al Hail Region shows inscriptions and camels on a rock at the base of Jebel Umm Sinman in Saudi Arabia
    Rock art in the Al Hail Region shows inscriptions and camels on a rock at the base of Jebel Umm Sinman in Saudi Arabia
  • A mud brick building from the Unesco World Heritage Site Al Turaif in Ad Diriyah
    A mud brick building from the Unesco World Heritage Site Al Turaif in Ad Diriyah
  • A woman walking past rose-coloured sandstone in Hegra, a Unesco World Heritage site, near Saudi Arabia's northwestern town of Al Ula
    A woman walking past rose-coloured sandstone in Hegra, a Unesco World Heritage site, near Saudi Arabia's northwestern town of Al Ula
  • The undulating architecture of Al Turaif in Ad Diriyah
    The undulating architecture of Al Turaif in Ad Diriyah
  • Hegra, also known as Madain Saleh, was the first archaeological site in Saudi Arabia to join Unesco's World Heritage List
    Hegra, also known as Madain Saleh, was the first archaeological site in Saudi Arabia to join Unesco's World Heritage List
  • Welcome ceremony for annual G20 Summit World Leaders is projected onto Salwa Palace in Al Turaif, one of Saudi Arabia’s Unesco World Heritage sites, in Diriyah
    Welcome ceremony for annual G20 Summit World Leaders is projected onto Salwa Palace in Al Turaif, one of Saudi Arabia’s Unesco World Heritage sites, in Diriyah
  • A mud-brick building in Unesco World Heritage Site Al Turaif in Ad Diriyah
    A mud-brick building in Unesco World Heritage Site Al Turaif in Ad Diriyah
  • Al Hima Cultural Area is home to more than 30 sites of historical rock art
    Al Hima Cultural Area is home to more than 30 sites of historical rock art
  • A traditional well in the Qasr Sahood neighbourhood of the Al Ahsa Oasis, Saudi Arabia
    A traditional well in the Qasr Sahood neighbourhood of the Al Ahsa Oasis, Saudi Arabia
  • A view of the Al Ahsa Oasis in the desert of Saudi Arabia
    A view of the Al Ahsa Oasis in the desert of Saudi Arabia
Updated: July 30, 2021, 5:07 AM