Earlier this year in September, Saudi Arabia made a landmark announcement that surprised the world, revealing the launch of a new electronic visa that will allow people from across the globe to enter the Kingdom for the first time ever to watch the Saudia Ad Diriyah E Prix. This month, that statement turned into reality as the country’s General Sports Authority (GSA) announced that international motor racing fans will now be able to get 30-day visit visas to enter the Kingdom for the inaugural one-of-a-kind event that will be held on the 15th of December.
As reported by Saudi Gazette, travelers can get their visa once they have purchased tickets to the race through the “Sharek” platform (on www.sharek.sa/formulae). Although just launched recently, this new visa process platform is already experiencing a large number of visitors from various countries in Europe, Central America, South America, Africa, the Caribbean, and Asia. The introduction of “Sharek” is seen as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a national strategy spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and designed to transform the Kingdom’s economic and social spheres.
Diriyah, the location of the race, is a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site that has now been equipped with a world-class racing circuit. According to the news site, the 11 participating teams will get to experience 22 Gen2 Formula One cars, and audiences will get to enjoy a myriad of entertainment and cultural events as part of the race. Ticket prices for Saudia Ad Diriyah E Prix begin at SR395 (around $106).
Speaking earlier this year on the decision by the Kingdom to introduce the visa platform, Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al Faisal Al Saud, vice-chair of Saudi Arabia’s General Sports Authority, said, “This is a truly game-changing moment for Saudi Arabia and one that we can share with the world. It is very fitting that the such a futuristic and sustainable sport as Formula E is pointing to the future direction of our country […] Saudi Arabia is racing into the future with Formula E as we open the kingdom to the world in a transformation that is being supercharged by the Vision 2030 plan.”
images are via Arabnews.com
