Saudi Arabia to build a western-style beach resort where women can wear bikinis instead of burkas

19 September 2018

PACKING a bikini for a beach holiday in Saudi Arabia has always been about as necessary as taking a puffa jacket to Mexico – until now.

The super-conservative country is planning to open a huge resort along its northwestern coast where women can wear whatever they like.

Saudi Arabia may be ease clothing restrictions for female tourists at new beach resort along its northwestern coast

The Red Sea resort will be a place where strict laws on women’s dress and gender segregation could be relaxed.

Tourists also won’t need a visa to travel to the “semi-autonomous” destination, where activities like parachuting, trekking and rock climbing will be on offer.

The government said the area – which will stretch for 125 miles along the coastline – will be “governed by laws on par with international standards”.

It is hoped that the resort will transform the country into a tourism hotspot, much like Dubai has done, and dramatically increase the number of visitors to the Middle Eastern country.

Currently, few British holidaymakers head to Saudi Arabia, choosing the more relaxed Dubai – where you are allowed to wear bikinis on the beach instead.

The Red Sea project will include diving attractions and a nature reserve, with some areas resembling the luxury hotels, islands and lagoons of the Maldives.

The government said the area – which will stretch for 125 miles along the coastline – will be ‘governed by laws on par with international standards’, unlike in the city of Riyadh (pictured)

Aimed at luxury and wellness travellers, it will also feature protected coral reefs and dormant volcanoes.

Visitors will also be able to spot rare wildlife like Arabian leopards and falcons at a nature reserve and see the ancient ruins of Mada’in Saleh, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The government hopes the Red Sea project will generate 15 billion Saudi riyals (£3 billion) annually to Saudi Arabia’s economy and create 35,000 jobs.

The sovereign wealth fund developing the project is headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as part of the Vision 2030 plan, the young prince was named heir to the throne by his father King Salman in June.

The prince is overseeing a dramatic overhaul of the economy to lessen its dependence on oil exports for revenue.

VOTE NOW