Saudi launches integrated travel-and-visa packages to boost tourism

Saudi Arabia has launched a package visa pilot that allows eligible international visitors to book flights, accommodation and tourist entry approval through a single travel package, as the kingdom continues to simplify travel planning and attract more international visitors.

The initiative enables approved travel providers to integrate return flights, licensed accommodation and an electronic tourist visa application into one booking, with optional events and tourism experiences also available. 

Developed by the Ministry of Tourism (MOT) in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Ministry of Interior (MOI) and the Insurance Authority, the programme aims to streamline the booking process for visitors while creating new opportunities for approved travel providers.

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The pilot is underway in selected markets through approved travel providers that meet qualifying requirements, including operating digital booking platforms with 24/7 customer support.

Saudi has continued to roll out measures aimed at making travel to the kingdom more seamless. It recently introduced an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for UK citizens, allowing multiple entries with stays of up to 180 days each year, while the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MoHU) partnered with UAE travel marketplace Wego on a digital platform integrating Umrah visa applications, flights, accommodation and ground transport into a single booking, with packages ranging from basic to premium.

The latest initiative comes as Saudi’s tourism sector continues to expand. Hospitality consultancy Cavendish Maxwell said the kingdom recorded 37.2 million domestic and international trips in the first quarter of 2026, generating SAR82.7 billion (US$22 billion) in visitor spending, while hospitality occupancy averaged 59%. Saudi aims to increase tourism’s contribution to GDP to SAR600 billion (US$160 billion) by 2030.

For more information, visit www.mofa.gov.sa