Saudi Arabia relaxes alcohol ban to attract global tourists

(Web Desk): Saudi Arabia will reportedly permit alcohol sales at select tourist venues by 2026, in a significant policy shift aimed at boosting tourism ahead of Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup in 2034.

The government has reportedly said that around 600 licensed locations will be authorised to serve alcoholic beverages to non-Muslim visitors. These include five-star hotels, resorts, and designated zones within large-scale tourism projects such as NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and Sindalah Island.

This marks the first broad loosening of the kingdom’s alcohol ban in over seven decades.

Permitted drinks will be limited to wine, beer and cider, with a maximum alcohol content of 20%. Spirits and other high-alcohol beverages will remain banned.

According to a report by Saudi Moments, all alcohol must be consumed on-site. Takeaway sales, retail distribution, and public advertising will remain prohibited. Alcohol will also remain unavailable in homes, shops, and public areas outside of the licensed zones.

Officials said the changes are part of Vision 2030, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s wide-reaching plan to diversify the Saudi economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues. The plan aims to position the country as a major destination for international tourism and investment.

The rules will be enforced under tight controls. Licensed venues will be operated by trained staff and regulated by clear operational standards. Violations, including serving unauthorised individuals or offering takeaway alcohol, could lead to venue closures or legal action.

The general ban on alcohol for Saudi citizens and Muslim residents will remain in place. Religious cities such as Mecca and Medina will continue to prohibit alcohol entirely.

Saudi Arabia had already opened its first alcohol shop in decades in January 2024. Located in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, the store is open only to non-Muslim foreign diplomats.

Access is limited to customers who register via a government app, receive foreign ministry clearance, and comply with monthly quotas. Mobile phones must be sealed upon entry, and purchases must be made in person.

That pilot initiative was introduced to regulate diplomatic alcohol access and curb black market sales, without changing the broader prohibition affecting the general public.

The alcohol licensing programme will begin rolling out in 2026, just four years before Saudi Arabia is due to host Expo 2030 in Riyadh and eight years before the World Cup.

Earlier in Febuary, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United Kingdom said that alcohol will not be allowed at the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

In an interview with LBC (London Broadcasting Company), Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud stated that alcohol would not be sold anywhere during the tournament, including hotels.

“At the moment, we don’t allow alcohol,” Prince Khalid said. “Plenty of fun can be had without alcohol—it’s not 100% necessary. If you want to drink after you leave, you’re welcome to, but at the moment we don’t have alcohol.”

Asked whether fans would be able to drink in hotels, as was the case at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he replied: “No, there is no alcohol at all. Rather like our weather, it’s a dry country.”

He added: “Everyone has their own culture. We’re happy to accommodate people within the boundaries of our culture, but we don’t want to change our culture for someone else.”