Simon Calder

Unmarried foreign couples now will be allowed,, hotel, rooms, in Saudi Arabia as part of a new visa regime, due to the religiously-conservative Kingdom.

women may also stay in hotel rooms alone.

couples who previously had to prove that they were married, before I use a hotel room.

The government's move comes amid efforts to the growing of Saudi Arabia the tourism industry.

In The Past , couples had to be of documentation proving the marriage, but now these rules are relaxed for foreigners.

"All Saudi citizens are asked to show the family ID or proof of relationship to the check in to the hotel," the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage , said in a statement.

"This is not necessary for foreign tourists. All women, even the Saudis, to book and stay in hotels, alone, offers ID at check-in. "

The new visa regulations do not imply that female tourists are required to cover completely, but are still expected to dress modestly.

alcohol is prohibited.

Arabia tried for a Long time as one of the strictest places on earth, Saudi-to soften its image in The Eyes of foreign tourists and investors.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has recently some major changes in the ultra-conservative Kingdom.

These include the end of a ban on female drivers and women, to travel abroad without a male guardian's permission.

But said these changes were overshadowed by the highly controversial issues, including the

Simon Calder , senior travel editor at The Independent , that the relaxation of the visa regime would be likely to increase The Number of people travelling to The Kingdom .

"lead Massive Numbers to simplify the bureaucracy of applying for a visa should be an immediate increase in visitor - first of all, I imagine, from those with an interest in the Arab world and their heritage," he told the Bbc .

Source of news: bbc.com