The tourism of the Middle East has been redefined by the advent and implementation of technological means. And this means that tourists visiting the Middle East can now go in a hassle-free manner, considering that they do not have to bear the inconvenience of carrying paper documents or anything extra with them. Right from applying for an eVisa to exploring the destination country’s marvels with the help of online apps, every aspect has been made a hundred times easier.
The Middle East is more than Turkey’s hamams, Dubai’s skyscrapers, or Saudi Arabia’s Kabba. At a time when the world is struggling to find means to battle against the rising concern of climate change, the Middle East has already adopted several ways to cut down on the use of fossil fuels and promote sustainability in every aspect of its life. And this very thing has drawn a huge number of tourists to the Middle Eastern countries, for the lure of experiencing such vibrant tourism is hard to ignore. If you take a look at what contributes to 9% of the Middle East’s GDP and why the growth rate is likely to be around 7.7% by 2032, you will understand why.
So, if you are a citizen of a foreign nation wanting to visit Saudi Arabia, Turkey, or any other Middle Eastern country, you are in for a hassle-free travel experience! Right from applying for an eVisa for Saudi Arabia or the UAE or Egypt to using apps for navigating around the country to the elimination of paper-based documentation, you couldn’t have asked for a smoother journey. Since the Middle East is on the rise to develop its tourism sector beyond anything you can imagine, read the blog to know what seamless and digital-first travel experiences beckon you!
A Short Glimpse into the Key Factors Driving Tourism Growth
The Middle East has implemented the right measures to experience a remarkable rise in its tourism.
Government initiatives: The likes of Saudi Arabia and the UAE have diversified their economies in a way that has made tourism the cornerstone of the country’s development.
Infrastructure development: On one hand, there have been huge investments and technological implementations in airports and transport systems. On the other hand, the unique Middle Eastern attractions have always been a point of interest for foreign travelers.
Global events: Remember 2022’s FIFA World Cup? It was held in Qatar, which welcomed thousands of visitors and generated a global buzz.
Cultural and historical riches: The Middle East has unparalleled heritage sites, right from the pyramids of Egypt to Petra in Jordan to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia, and more, much to the joy of adventurers, pilgrims, and history enthusiasts alike.
Enhanced accessibility: The introduction of eVisas for Saudi and other Middle Eastern countries, more flight routes, partnerships with international airlines, and better transportation – everything has been done in the favor of tourists.
Innovation and sustainability: Have you heard of NEOM in Saudi Arabia, which is a planned city with futuristic attractions that can house 9 million people and survive on 100% renewable energy? Or that the Bahrain International Airport has been carbon neutral since 2022? The Middle East indeed has so much to offer!
While these are the factors that largely draw tourists to the Middle East, how would you prepare for your trip?
What Aspects Contribute to a Faster and Paperless Trip to the Middle East?
As a tourist, you crave speed, simplicity, and a seamless experience. You have a smartphone in hand and want to wrap everything digitally, with no time for elaborate paperwork. Worry not, a trip to the Middle East will have you embraced in everything digital! Initiatives initiated by the Middle Eastern countries ensure that paperless travel is no longer a trend but the new global standard!
No More Hassle of Lengthy Visa Applications
How frustrating is it to stand in long queues at the embassy and wait for days to get your visa approval? It almost mars the excitement of planning the trip to a new country! But this problem is eliminated now, as most Middle Eastern countries have opened their doors to eVisas. You can easily get through with an online visa application to Saudi Arabia or to Egypt or to Turkey or to the UAE. The visa application process gets wrapped up in just a few minutes, and you get the approval mailed to you in a couple of days.
The procedure of online visa application to Saudi Arabia or to Turkey or to Egypt (and more!) is quite easy.
- Just fill out the application form with correct details.
- Upload a digital copy of your passport (should be valid for at least the next 6 months) and your recent passport-size photograph.
- Make the payment of the visa application fee.
The application process is done! You will be mailed the approval shortly!
The digitization of entry permits not only eliminated bureaucratic delays but also ensured that the tourist can now keep the proof of the visa stored on their smartphone and quicken the check-in process at immigration. Spontaneous exploration, anyone?
Entry and Navigation Made Easy With Mobile Apps
Many Middle Eastern countries have launched apps specifically designed to make navigation easier. From navigating airport terminals to booking for desert safaris, the apps are going to make your trip a hundred times smoother.
If you are visiting the UAE, make use of the UAEICP app for streamlining passport scanning and airport entries. Similarly, going to Saudi Arabia requires you to download the Tawakkalna app, which was originally launched for COVID tracking but has now become a tourist’s best friend (providing permit info, health status, and so much more!). Also, to explore Dubai, use Careem, which is the Middle Eastern version of Uber.
Having the required apps on your smartphone makes you eligible for contactless immigration, real-time updates on transportation and more, local regulations, nearby attractions, etc. The fact that QR codes and biometric systems are making the work of entries and exits smooth not only benefits the tourists but also the government, as the authorities now have better oversight and can control the large influx of tourist flows.
For instance, if you are visiting NEOM, get the Visit NEOM app to find cultural recommendations, navigation tips, and even weather alerts! And have Google Translate downloaded, just in case!
Cashless Payment to the Rescue
No more worrying about carrying cash and losing it somewhere or fumbling with unfamiliar currency at airport kiosks! If you have Apply Pay or Google Pay downloaded on your smartphone, you are good to go! From buying souvenirs in markets to entering museums, everything can now be done with QR payments (however, keep some cash in person if you suddenly feel like buying an indigenous trinket from a small roadside shack).
Post COVID, people everywhere have started using digital payments, and the Middle East has made trips easier with the introduction of digital wallets. With cashless transactions on the rise, budgeting for the trip becomes easier for you, and there is no more hassle of reaching into your wallet every now and then. The likes of Dubai Mall, Petra’s visitor center, or the Riyadh Boulevard can be easily accessed with digital payment methods.
You may also use regional payment methods. Saudi Arabia has introduced STC Pay, while the UAE has eDirham Instant, all of it designed to make your journey to the Middle East more hassle-free and easy.
Paper-based Documentation is a Thing of the Past
Flight tickets in the side pocket of the bag? Hotel confirmations printed on paper and stuffed in a corner of the handbag? Boarding passes peeking from the pocket of your jeans? All relics from the past! Digital travel has reduced the clutter and has made you a part of the Middle East’s sustainable initiatives.
You now have the boarding passes stored on the airline apps and hotel confirmations stored on the QR code. What’s more? You need not carry a map with you anymore! Either use Google Maps or VoiceMap or izi.TRAVEL for e-guided tours with GPS-triggered audios. And also, there is no fear of losing any documentation, for every important thing can have a backup on the cloud storage tools. So, right from your IDs, passports, insurance, confirmations, to any other important document, everything has now found a place on your Google Drive.
While it is advisable to always have a printed copy of your eVisa for Saudi or Egypt or any other Middle Eastern country where you are going in person, you do not have to fret anymore if the copy gets lost. With the original document stored on your phone’s cloud, you can get it printed again. Hence, travel with a lighter footprint – both environmentally and physically!
No More Delays at the Airport or Immigration
Considering the Middle East has become one of the most technologically-driven areas of the world, its airports are nothing short of a technological marvel! From Smart Gates to AI-powered screening to even immigration counters with facial recognition, airports in places like Doha, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, etc., ensure that tourists can gain entry access into the country without facing much hassle. Owing to these features, there are reduced queue times and better transit efficiency.
The Middle Eastern countries (maybe barring a few) have pushed their boundaries to overcome every challenge and go digital for the convenience of tourists, especially for those traveling with families or with elderly members. Traditional passport lines are becoming almost non-existent, allowing travelers to pass through the e-gates and have their passports scanned in seconds. Also, there is no more chance of human errors and bottlenecks, considering biometric systems are in place doing their jobs just as precisely.
So, if you have landed in the Hamad International Airport or the King Khalid International Airport, all you are going to have to do is have everything on your phone and walk through the designated e-gate to get into the country!
Going on a Trip with Better Safety and Convenience
This stance towards paperless traveling has made the Middle Eastern countries safer and accessible, not to mention inclusive as well. Nationals from all races can take a trip without facing any language barrier, for the designated apps they download have multilingual interfaces. If you are traveling with someone with a motor disability, use the app for wheelchair-accessible maps and also emergency hotlines.
So, as you apply for an eVisa for Saudi Arabia or the UAE or any other Middle Eastern country, know that you are in for an absolute treat! There is convenience in everything, which ensures that you focus less on logistics and more on exploration.
Ready to Go Paperless on Your Next Trip to a Middle Eastern Country?
Technology is here to make our lives easier, and the world needs to learn from the Middle East how to leverage technology at its best. Going paperless and promoting sustainability has made tourism boom in the Middle East, not to ignore the fact that these countries have always had a plethora of natural and man-made wonders to offer!
So, what are you waiting for? Get started with your online visa application to Saudi Arabia or Turkey or the UAE, pack your bags, make sure you have everything stored on your phone, and you are good to go!
