A MEMORANDUM IS SIGNED BETWEEN ROSTOURISM AND THE COMMISSION ON TOURISM AND THE NATIONAL HERITAGE OF

During the state visit of the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin to Saudi Arabia, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Federal Agency for Tourism of the Russian Federation and the Commission on Tourism and National Heritage of Saudi Arabia. The document was signed by the Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Maxim Oreshkin from the Russian side, and Ahmed al-Khatib, Chairman of the Saudi Commission on Tourism and National Heritage, from the Saudi side.

Comment of the Federal Tourism Agency:

"This is the first interstate document in the field of tourism between our countries, creating a legal basis for cooperation and joint initiatives. The Federal Tourism Agency and the Commission on Tourism and National Heritage of Saudi Arabia have prepared this document taking into account the mutual interest of our countries in the development of tourist exchanges, which today are beginning to develop actively.

Removing visa restrictions is an urgent issue on the bilateral agenda. Our countries act in accordance with the global trend in tourism, which involves the gradual removal of visa and border barriers for travelers. Saudi Arabia first opened its doors to international tourists. The kingdom has begun issuing tourist visas to a large number of countries, and we are very glad that Russia is on this list.

Russia is also now working closely to facilitate the visa regime and formalities. Currently, an electronic visa is valid for tourists coming to the regions of the Far East, as well as to the Kaliningrad region. And from October 1, the electronic visa regime for the territory of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region began to work. Saudi Arabia is on the list of countries whose tourists can visit regions of Russia by electronic visa. We are always glad to see tourists from your country at our place. Moreover, from January 1, 2021, an electronic visa will work throughout Russia, and we consider this a real breakthrough for world tourism.

In addition, Russia previously raised the issue of a possible visa-free regime between our countries, and we are ready to continue discussing this issue, since we consider it very important.

As for plans in the field of tourism, in addition to the speediest simplification of visa formalities, we would like to discuss the issue of opening direct flights between Russia and Saudi Arabia. This would significantly increase tourist exchanges. We would also be happy to exchange experiences in creating tourism clusters and promoting them in international markets. In this sense, it is very interesting how the Al Ula project will develop.