Another country exempts Saudis from visa requirements

RIYADH – The authorities in Honduras have announced a visa exemption for Saudi citizens who wish to visit the country in a landmark move.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Consular and Immigration Affairs of Honduras, Antonio Garcia, confirmed the development on Saturday.

The decision comes after a recent meeting between the Saudi deputy minister of foreign affairs, Waleed Elkhereiji, and his Honduran counterpart Enrique Reyna in Tegucigalpa.

During the meeting, both the officials discussed relations between Honduras and the Kingdom for the promotion of tourism links between the two countries.

The decision will bring both nations closer in terms of trade, culture and tourism. These strategic measures aim to position Honduras as an attractive destination for international tourists while solidifying its tourism industry and making it attractive for visitors from Saudi Arabia.

The land area of The Republic of Honduras is 43,278 square miles and is located in Central America. The coastline of the country is along the Caribbean Sea. This land region is known as the Gulf of Honduras, while the sea on the Pacific coast is known as the Gulf of Fonseca. The borders of Honduras are shared with Guatemala, Nicaragua, and El Salvador.

It has to be highlighted that the passport of Saudi Arabia ranks 61st on the Henley Passport Index 2024, indicating its relatively limited strength in terms of global travel access. However, its citizens have visa-free access to 90 destinations, which also reflects their level of global mobility.

Saudis often like to travel to the world, particularly to Europe and the Middle East regions. The exemption of a visa makes it a new destination for them to travel to.

Saudi Arabia, located in the Middle East, has a population of approximately 35 million. Its notable places include the capital Riyadh, Jeddah, and Mecca. The economy relies heavily on oil exports, with industries such as petrochemicals, finance, and tourism emerging in recent years.