According to a recent report by Stratfor Worldview, Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector is gearing up to attract LGBTQ+ travelers. This comes as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 plan, aimed at diversifying its economy. As a part of this plan, Saudi Arabia aims to triple the size of its tourism sector, bringing in 100 million annual tourists by 2030, up from 40 million in 2019.
The report states that while the LGBTQ+ community has traditionally been shunned by conservative Islamic societies, the Saudi government seems to be taking steps to broaden its appeal to the community. Efforts have been made to relax some of the social, cultural, and legal strictures in the ultra-conservative kingdom. These include heeding the call of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for a “moderate, normal lifestyle,” defanging the religious police and ensuring women’s right to drive.
In addition, the report notes that the government has initiated a “giga-project” called Amaala, a luxury tourism development aimed at attracting high-end visitors. According to the project’s website, Amaala aims to be a “triple pillar of art, wellness and pristine natural beauty.” The development is set to include several new hotels, luxury wellness centers, art galleries, and performance venues. While there is no specific mention of LGBTQ+ travelers on the Amaala website, Stratfor notes that such visitors would likely fit into the high-end segment that Amaala is targeting.
That said, there are still significant cultural and legal barriers that may prove daunting to LGBTQ+ tourists in Saudi Arabia. Homosexuality is illegal in the country and can carry severe penalties, such as imprisonment and flogging. The report suggests that while the government may be trying to liberalize aspects of Saudi society, it is unclear how far they are willing to go to accommodate the LGBTQ+ community.
Overall, the report concludes that while Saudi Arabia is opening up to the possibility of LGBTQ+ tourism, it may be some time before it is fully embraced. The report states, “LGBTQ+ tourism to Saudi Arabia will likely develop gradually as the kingdom navigates the clash between its conservative values and the demands of an international market that increasingly values diversity and inclusion.”
It remains to be seen whether or not Saudi Arabia will be able to successfully attract LGBTQ+ travelers. However, the fact that the government is showing interest in such tourism is a significant step towards a more open and diverse society.