In force
Saudi Tourism Law
نظام السياحة
Regulates the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia, including licensing of tourism activities, tourism destinations, inspection and penalties. It concerns tourism operators, facility owners and visitors.
- Articles
- 19
- In force
- 19
- Amended
- 0
- Issued
- 26/1/1444 AH
Issued by: مرسوم ملكي رقم (م/18) وتاريخ 1444/1/26هـ · قرار مجلس الوزراء رقم (79) وتاريخ 1444/1/25هـ
Each article shows the official Arabic text, which is the only legally binding version, followed by our plain-English explanation.
Browse Tourism Law by topic
Articles of the Saudi Tourism Law
- Article 1This article defines the key terms of the Tourism Law, such as tourism, tourist, destination, tourism facility, hospitality facility, the types of tourism activities, and license.
- Article 2A license or permit from the Ministry of Tourism is required before practicing any tourism activity, and the Regulations and the Minister set the criteria, requirements and classification of activities.
- Article 3A licensee must provide the best services, keep meeting license and classification requirements, register its personnel's data with the Ministry and update it within 3 months, and submit statistics.
- Article 4A licensee must provide financial guarantees for tourism activities that require them, and the Regulations, in agreement with the Ministry of Finance, set those activities and the guarantees' amount and conditions.
- Article 5The Ministry and government bodies work with the private and non-profit sectors and the community to achieve the Law's goals, and bodies must apply the Article 2(3) criteria as a minimum.
- Article 6Tourism destinations are designated by decision of the Council of Ministers on the Minister of Tourism's proposal, covering their assets, properties, environmental and planning requirements, and investment.
- Article 7It is prohibited to harm the reputation of tourism in the Kingdom or encroach on tourism destinations and assets, and bodies must coordinate to protect them and take them into account in planning.
- Article 8The Minister of Tourism, by decision and in coordination with the competent bodies, issues the rules for investing in tourism destinations and the facilities they need.
- Article 9The article allows a comprehensive service center or electronic platform for tourism, requires the Ministry to maintain a published tourism database, and requires specified entities to provide it with information.
- Article 10The Ministry may take precautionary measures, including closing a tourism facility, if it poses an imminent danger to public health or safety, with a hospitality facility evacuated and alternative housing provided for guests.
- Article 11The Regulations determine the fee for tourism activity licenses the Ministry provides and for the services and work it provides under the Law and the Regulations.
- Article 12The Ministry of Tourism issues tourist visa permits under controls agreed with the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs, and the Regulations explain the procedures and mechanisms.
- Article 13Inspectors designated by the Minister detect and investigate violations of the Tourism Law, with powers to review records and question staff and refer violations to the Article 15 committee, and obstructing them is prohibited.
- Article 14The Ministry of Tourism may, when needed, use specialized technical companies or bodies for some of its tasks under controls set by the Regulations, without prejudice to its core tasks.
- Article 15The Minister forms one or more committees of at least three members, one a legal specialist, to hear violations of the Tourism Law and impose the Article 16 penalties except immediate fines.
- Article 16The article sets penalties for violating the Tourism Law from a warning up to a SAR 1,000,000 fine and license revocation, the committee's powers, immediate fines, and appeal to the Administrative Court within 60 days.
- Article 17The Minister of Tourism issues the Regulations within 90 days of the Law's publication in the Official Gazette, and they take effect from the date the Law takes effect.
- Article 18The Tourism Law replaces the Tourism Law issued by Royal Decree No. M/2 dated 9/1/1436 AH and repeals any provisions that conflict with it.
- Article 19The Tourism Law takes effect 90 days after the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.