Interesting facts about Saudi Arabia include that around 100 camels are sold there every day, 95 per cent of the country is classified as a desert or semi-desert, around half of the population is aged under 24, and showing the soles of your feet is considered extremely disrespectful.

And now, the country is opening up its doors to international tourists for the first time. On 27 September, it launched a visa regime for 49 countries and relaxed its strict dress codes for female visitors. The dress code for women in the country is traditionally an abaya ─ a full-length garment ─ but the new tourist visa regime comes with a more relaxed dress code for female visitors, although they must still dress in a modest fashion, with their knees and shoulders covered.

The country is seeking to increase international and domestic visits to 100 million a year by 2030

Let’s not forget men, though ─ male tourists should not wear shorts in public, according to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Ahmad bin Aqil al-Khatib, Chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) Board of Directors, said that more guidelines will be given to tourists during the visa application process.

Previously, visas were restricted to pilgrims, businesspeople and expats. Now, the country is seeking to increase international and domestic visits to 100 million a year by 2030 and the government expects to create one million tourist jobs. The hope is that tourism will rise from three per cent to 10 per cent of Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product by 2030. Part of the motivation behind this is to cut its economic dependence on oil, diversifying the country’s economy away from the commodity.

“Today we not only welcome visitors, but also investors in the sector and businessmen and women, as there are big opportunities available to invest in the sector’s fields,” said al-Khati.

So, is Saudi Arabia safe for tourists to visit? Should we all immediately book a trip? It would be sensible for travellers to still exercise caution. The FCO advises against all travel to within 10 km of the border with Yemen and all but essential travel to areas between 10 km and 80 km from the border with Yemen and Abha International Airport and its grounds, located in Asir province.

The FCO website states: “If you’re currently in an area where the FCO advise against all but essential travel, you should consider whether you have an essential reason to remain. If you don’t, you should leave the area.”