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Meta-owned WhatsApp has reactivated its voice and video call features in Saudi Arabia after a six-year ban, raising questions about the long-term availability of these services. The features, blocked since 2019 due to regulatory restrictions, have been restored without any prior official announcement from Saudi authorities, sparking widespread discussions across the country.
Abdullah Al-Subaei from the technology sector stated that the service revival matches Saudi Arabia’s digital infrastructure advancement plan to benefit millions of users across the nation. The Kingdom’s digital transformation under Vision 2030 continues to drive this decision point towards technological progress and innovative development.
More than 1.5 billion users currently chose WhatsApp as their primary messaging platform following its introduction of voice calls in 2015 and video calls in 2016. Saudi Arabian regulations prevented the implementation of these communication features within the country. The sudden services restoration without official confirmation about permanence continues to spark online discussions about Saudi Arabia’s long-term plans.
The Middle Eastern region experienced a remarkable growth in Pakistani tourist visits as Saudi Arabia became the new top destination according to Wego the leading MENA travel service application. Saudi Arabia’s massive development projects NEOM and The Red Sea Project together with Ramadan religious activities contribute to a 100% annual increase in visitor numbers that propels the Kingdom toward becoming a global tourism benchmark.
Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030 advances its tourism promotion to develop a diversified economy while targeting worldwide visitors. Pilgrims from Pakistan choose Makkah and Madinah to visit for their religious duties and the country also markets new upscale hotel developments and environmentally-friendly attractions to attract leisure tourists.
The new online travel agent platform “Book on Wego” from Wego aims to serve Pakistani travelers despite the recent launch. Wego’s app shows Saudi Arabia leads as the top destination for travelers while their visitor numbers have grown twice in one year.
As Saudi Arabia continues to evolve both digitally and economically, the reactivation of WhatsApp’s voice and video call features and the surge in tourism reflect the Kingdom’s dynamic transformation on the global stage.
