Saudi Arabia has updated its tourism website to welcome LGBTQ visitors, marking a significant shift in the kingdom’s stance on the community.

The website’s Q&A section now states that gay visitors are welcome in Saudi Arabia, with visitors not required to disclose such personal details.

It is unclear when the website was updated, but a spokesperson for the Saudi Tourism Authority said that the policy had been in place previously. Same-sex sexual activity is considered a crime in the country, and trans people face prosecution and discrimination.

However, the LGBTQ+ community is seen as a lucrative market, with research showing that they tend to spend more money and travel more frequently than heterosexual couples.

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Despite this, one gay UK traveller who visited Saudi Arabia on a work trip before the website was updated stated that he felt “in the closet” during his stay. He was advised to delete all LGBTQI-related content from his phone and to keep his sexuality to himself. He added that the Saudi people were friendly and welcoming, and the country was changing quickly, but he wouldn’t feel comfortable going there with a partner.

This update to Saudi Arabia’s tourism website marks a significant shift in the country’s approach to LGBTQ visitors. While same-sex sexual activity remains a crime, the move to welcome gay visitors is seen as a lucrative market for the kingdom.

The website’s new policy states that visitors are not required to disclose their sexual orientation, and same-sex couples may feel more comfortable visiting the country.

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However, discrimination and prosecution against the LGBTQ+ community remain prevalent in the country, making it difficult for some visitors to be themselves. The UK traveller’s experience highlights the fear that many LGBTQ+ people may feel when visiting the country, despite the warm welcome he received from the Saudi people.

Nonetheless, the country’s changing attitudes are a positive sign, and it may continue to move towards greater acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community in the future.