Saudi Arabia is reportedly opening up to tourists from the LGBTQ community, as the country continues its push to attract more visitors. The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) website has been updated to state that gay visitors are welcome in the kingdom, according to reports. However, same-sex sexual activity remains an offence in Saudi Arabia, and trans people can also face prosecution.
Despite this, the move has been welcomed by travel industry insiders, who have noted that LGBTQ+ travellers are a lucrative market. Darren Burn, CEO of Out Of Office, a luxury travel planning service for the community, and of Travel Gay, the world’s largest LGBTQ+ travel platform, said: “Research shows they spend more money in a destination than heterosexual couples, and tend to travel more times a year.”
However, Burn added that assurances would be needed before LGBTQ travellers felt comfortable visiting Saudi Arabia. He pointed out that destinations such as the Maldives and Dubai, where homosexuality is a criminal offence, are already popular, but said that without more clarity from the authorities, Saudi Arabia could be a tougher sell.
“It’s pretty vague, and doesn’t offer the assurances that would make me feel able to send our clients safely to the destination, but anything on the website about LGBT travelers is a good starting point,” he said.
One gay traveller who visited Saudi Arabia on a work trip in October 2022 – before the website was updated – told CNN that he felt “in the closet” during his stay. The UK traveller – who did not want to be named – spent time in AlUla, one of Saudi’s tourism-focused destinations. He said: “It was OK for a week or so but after that I suddenly realized it gone back to living a life in the closet and not being my true self."
Following Dubai and Qatar, Saudi Arabia is focusing on expanding its tourism sector, with a focus on archaeology attractions and new city developments. CNN’s Richard Quest, who visited the country in September 2022, wrote that: “I have seen countries change before, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything quite like the change taking place in Saudi Arabia. Saudi’s change is deliberate, deep-reaching and dramatic.”
However, human rights researcher Nora Noralla warned that Saudi Arabia may not be welcoming to LGBTQ+ visitors on their terms. She argued that the country is following Dubai and Qatar in its bid to attract the pink tourism dollar, but warned that this may not extend to all members of the community.
“In Dubai there are a lot of gay influencers, and as long as you understand the context of the area you’re in and respect the traditional culture and not show your queerness in any way, you’re OK,” she said.
She also warned that what goes for “rich tourists” doesn’t fly for others. “Queer residents know what lines they can cross, and it’s all down to your economic and social background,” she said. “They realize the risks with this kind of activity and know how to do it in a discreet way. This [the new move] is basically for Western tourists."