Saudia Arabia just announced that it will resume international tourism on August 1, and visitors from 49 countries are eligible for its tourism e-visas. Those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be allowed to enter the country without a quarantine. A web portal is available for travelers to register their vaccination status in advance.

Foreign arrivals will also be required to provide proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to their departure, plus a vaccination certificate that’s been approved by the official health authorities of the issuing country.

The Middle Eastern nation has upgraded ‘Tawakkalna’—its award-winning track-and-trace app—to allow temporary visitors to register with their passport details. Tawakkalna will be an essential tool for tourists and is required in order to enter many public places, including restaurants, shopping centers, cinemas and entertainment venues.

Saudi Arabia’s reopening announcement arrives nearly 18 months after inbound foreign tourism was suspended due to the spread of COVID-19 around the globe. The Kingdom had only just introduced its tourism e-visa program in September 2019, a few months prior to the coronavirus outbreak.

“Saudi is looking forward to reopening its doors and its hearts to international visitors,” said Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA). “During the shutdown, we have working in close collaboration with our partners in the public and private sector to ensure that visitors to Saudi can enjoy a memorable, authentic and, above all, safe experience for themselves and their loved ones. Visitors seeking unexplored heritage sites, an authentic cultural experience and breath-taking natural beauty will be surprised and delighted to discover Saudi’s warm welcome.”

The country’s flag carrier, Saudia, signed a reciprocal loyalty program with Etihad Airways. Not least of all,  MSC Cruises plans to introduce two Red Sea itineraries in Fall 2021, utilizing Saudi homeports.