Article 13 of the Saudi Tourism Law
المادة 13 من نظام السياحة
Inspectors 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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- يتولى مفتشون -يصدر بتحديدهم قرار من الوزير- ضبط مخالفات أحكام النظام واللائحة، والتحقيق فيها، والتحقق من استيفاء شروط وضوابط الأنشطة السياحية، ولهم -في سبيل ذلك- الاطلاع على السجلات والبيانات، وتلقي الشكاوى والتحقيق مع العاملين في المنشأة محل التفتيش، والحصول على المعلومات التي يطلبونها. وإذا تبين لهم وقوع مخالفات فعليهم ضبطها، وإحالتها إلى اللجنة المنصوص عليها في الفقرة (1) من المادة (الخامسة عشرة) من النظام.
2- يحظر منع المفتشين من أداء مهماتهم المنصوص عليها في هذه المادة، وعلى أصحاب المنشآت والعاملين فيها -محل التفتيش- التعاون معهم وتقديم التسهيلات لهم.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 13 explained in plain English
This article regulates inspection of tourism activities, in two paragraphs:
First – Inspectors and their powers: the Minister designates the inspectors by decision, and they:
- Detect and investigate violations of the Law and the Regulations.
- Verify that the requirements and controls of tourism activities are met.
To do so they may:
- Review records and data.
- Receive complaints.
- Question the staff of the inspected establishment.
- Obtain the information they request.
If a violation is found, they must detect it and refer it to the committee in paragraph 1 of Article 15, a committee formed by the Minister of at least three members, one of whom specializes in law, which hears violations and imposes penalties.
Second – Duty to cooperate: it is prohibited to obstruct inspectors from performing their tasks, and owners of establishments and their staff must cooperate with them and give them facilities.
The next article, Article 14, allows specialized technical companies to be used for some of the Ministry's tasks. Anyone whose establishment has been subject to a violation report can consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative cases.
Practical example
An inspector from the Ministry of Tourism visited a travel office in Jeddah after a customer's complaint, asked to review the booking records and questioned the staff. The office owner and its employees must cooperate with the inspector, and if a violation is established the inspector records it and refers it to the competent committee.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 13 of the Saudi Tourism Law
Can a tourism inspector review a hotel's records?
Yes. Inspectors may review records and data and obtain the information they request.
May a Ministry of Tourism inspector be refused entry?
No. Obstructing inspectors from performing their tasks is prohibited, and owners of establishments and their staff must cooperate and give them facilities.
Where are tourism violations referred after they are detected?
Inspectors refer them to the committee in paragraph 1 of Article 15.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Closing Tourism Facilities and Inspection
- Article 10
The 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.
في الحالات التي يظهر للوزارة فيها -بعد التنسيق مع الجهات المختصة- أن المرفق السياحي يشكّل خطراً محدقاً على الصحة أو السلامة العامة، فلها اتخاذ الإجراءات والتداب
- Article 14
The 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.
يجوز الاستعانة -عند الحاجة- بشركات أو جهات فنية متخصصة؛ للقيام ببعض المهمات الموكولة إلى الوزارة بموجب النظام، وفق ضوابط تحددها اللائحة، وذلك دون إخلال بالمهمات
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.