Article 5 of the Saudi Tourism Law
المادة 5 من نظام السياحة
The 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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
1- تتولى الوزارة، والجهات الحكومية -كلٌّ في حدود اختصاصه- العمل على تحقيق مستهدفات النظام والاستراتيجية، بالتكامل والشراكة مع القطاع الخاص والقطاع غير الربحي والمجتمع المحلي.
2- دون الإخلال بالأنظمة واللوائح ذات العلاقة؛ تلتزم الجهات الحكومية والجهات الخاصة بتطبيق المعايير والاشتراطات والضوابط المنصوص عليها في الفقرة (3) من المادة (الثانية) من النظام، والتي تمثل الحد الأدنى من المعايير والضوابط الواجب توافرها، ولا تحدّ من اختصاص تلك الجهات على تطبيق أي معايير أعلى أو ضوابط أخرى.
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 5 explained in plain English
This article deals with how the various bodies cooperate to apply the Tourism Law, and it has two paragraphs:
Paragraph 1 – Integrated work: the Ministry of Tourism and government bodies, each within its jurisdiction, work to achieve the goals of the Law and the approved general strategy for developing national tourism, in integration and partnership with the private sector, the non-profit sector and the local community. Tourism is not the Ministry's responsibility alone.
Paragraph 2 – Minimum criteria: government and private bodies must apply the criteria, requirements and controls set out in paragraph 3 of Article 2, which are the additional criteria the Minister sets, after coordinating with the relevant bodies, for complementary and specialized tourism activities. The article makes two important points clear:
- These criteria represent the minimum that must be met.
- They do not prevent the competent bodies from applying higher criteria or other controls within their jurisdiction.
All of this is without prejudice to the relevant laws and regulations. For example, a government body that supervises a specialized tourism activity may apply stricter criteria than those the Minister set, and that remains lawful.
Practical example
An amusement city in Riyadh is subject to additional criteria set by the Minister of Tourism for complementary activities, and is also subject to another competent government body. The Minister's criteria are a minimum, and the other body may apply higher controls to it within its jurisdiction.
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 5 of the Saudi Tourism Law
Is the Ministry of Tourism alone responsible for developing tourism?
No. The Ministry and government bodies, each within its jurisdiction, work to achieve the Law's goals and the strategy in partnership with the private sector, the non-profit sector and the local community.
May a government body apply stricter requirements than the Ministry of Tourism's criteria?
Yes. The criteria in paragraph 3 of Article 2 are a minimum and do not limit the bodies' jurisdiction to apply higher criteria or other controls.
Articles this article refers to
More articles on Tourism Destinations and Assets
- Article 6
Tourism 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.
1- تُحدّد الوجهات السياحية -وما يتصل بها- بقرارٍ من مجلس الوزراء، بناءً على اقتراح من الوزير، وبخاصة ما يأتي: أ - تحديد المقوّمات السياحية المراد استغلالها، وال
- Article 7
It 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.
1- دون إخلال بالأنظمة واللوائح ذات العلاقة، يحظر الإساءة إلى سمعة السياحة في المملكة والتعدي على الوجهات السياحية والمقوّمات السياحية، أو إلحاق الضرر بها، أو ال
- Article 8
The 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.
دون إخلال بالأنظمة واللوائح ذات العلاقة، يصدر بقرار من الوزير-بالتنسيق مع الجهات المختصة- قواعد استثمار الوجهات السياحية والتسهيلات اللازمة لها.
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.