issue visas: Plans to admit significant numbers of tourists from abroad have been discussed for years, only to be blocked by conservative opinion and bureaucracy, according to The Japan Times. Embassies and consulates will be able to issue the visas within 24 hours of receiving a request, the daily Arab News reported Saturday, citing a Cabinet decision last week. The conservative Muslim country has previously restricted visas to resident workers, business travelers and Muslim pilgrims who are given special visas to travel to holy sites. ; Economic reforms pushed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman aim to lift total tourism spending in the kingdom by local citizens as well as foreigners to 46.6 billion in 2020 from 27.9 billion in 2015, the government has said. It did not specify when the visas will become available. However, dozens of activists, intellectuals and clerics have been arrested in an apparent bid to stamp out opposition to the crown prince, who has consolidated power including with a sweeping anti-corruption campaign. As part of the crown prince's agenda, the kingdom has ended a nearly 40-year ban on cinemas, allowed music concerts, including performances by Western pop stars, and organized international sporting events.
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