Saudi Arabia's new heir to the throne has announced plans to relax laws around public dress for women in a new beach development.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman says the legislation will mean that women would be able to wear a bikini instead of the usual abaya, which is a robe-like dress. But, it appears that the rules would only apply to the Red Sea resort, which is planned to be constructed in the country's northwest.
According to Saudi Arabia's public investment fund: "The Red Sea project will be a luxury resort destination situated across the islands of a lagoon and steeped in nature and culture.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Credit: PA
"It will set new standards for sustainable development and bring about the next generation of luxury travel to put Saudi Arabia on the international tourism map."
But beach-goers will have to wait until about 2022 until the first phase of the project is expected to be completed. Construction will reportedly begin in 2019 and they're hoping to have a million visitors within two decades.
Two Saudi women at the beach at night. Credit: PA
A statement on the Saudi Press Agency website translates to: "The Kingdom is witnessing a major shift in economic and administrative performance, in an effort to diversify the economy and provide more job opportunities for the citizens of the country, indicating that such projects will raise the Kingdom's GDP."
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The project is aimed at boosting tourism to the region as the country wants to lessen its economic dependence on oil. But Saudi Arabia has notoriously restrictive legislation over women's rights, including rules that forbid them from driving or leaving the house without a male companion.
A woman was recently arrested for walking through a Saudi city in a crop-top and miniskirt.
But the new heir to the throne has been hailed as someone who wants to change things, both socially and economically. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman recently replaced his uncle Prince Mohammed bin Nayef as the next in line for the throne, who was ousted, where he will also serve as the Deputy Prime Minister as well as Defence Minister.
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has been on the throne since his successor King Abdullah died in January 2015. Saudi Arabia's kings are usually in their 70s and 80s, so appointing a considerably younger Crown Prince is seen as an unusual move.
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Credit: The Telegraph, BBC, CNN
Topics: Saudi Arabia