Saudi Arabia’s capital is set to open its first liquor store reserved for non-Muslim diplomats, marking a notable change in the conservative Gulf kingdom. This initiative, although strictly supervised, aims to boost the city’s tourist appeal in the run-up to the 2030 World Expo. At the same time, projects such as Zardun, a luxury eco-tourism sanctuary developed by NEOM, illustrate the country’s willingness to explore new perspectives.
One small step for the West, one giant leap for the conservative Gulf kingdom! Riyadh is preparing to open its very first liquor store. According to a Reuters report, the store will be located in the diplomatic quarter of Saudi Arabia’s capital, aimed at visiting “non-Muslim diplomats”.
Customers will have to register via a mobile app, obtain an authorization code from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and meet monthly quotas. Although limited, this initiative represents a significant adjustment in the run-up to the 2030 World Expo.
Indeed, last November, the member states of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) today elected Saudi Arabia as the host country of the 2030 Universal Exposition.Saudi Arabia’s plan to organize the 2030 Universal Exposition in Riyadh was elected by a two-thirds majority in the first round during the 173rd BIE General Assembly.
The World Expo will be held under the theme “The Age of Change: Together for a Bright Future”, and Saudi Arabia intends to play all its cards right to attract international travelers. This means improving its tourism offering, despite cultural and religious challenges.
Vision 2030
The question of allowing alcohol consumption in Saudi Arabia has sparked speculation, not least because of the Vision 2030 plan to attract tourism. This ambitious plan calls for the creation of ultra-luxury resorts, with St. Regis on the Red Sea coast and Six Senses in the desert. Added to this are a major presence in world soccer and simplified entry procedures for travellers.
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Featured photo : ©NEOM
