Article 7 of the Saudi Tourism Law
المادة 7 من نظام السياحة
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
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 القيام بأي فعلٍ من شأنه الإضرار بقيمتها أو أهميتها السياحية.
2- على الوزارة التنسيق مع وزارة الداخلية والجهات ذات العلاقة؛ لوضع آلية تكفل حماية الوجهات السياحية والمقوّمات السياحية، ومنع التعدي عليها.
3- على الجهات الحكومية المختصة بالتخطيط، عند تخطيطها المدن والقرى والمشاريع المملوكة للدولة؛ مراعاة الحفاظ على الوجهات السياحية والمقومات السياحية، والتنسيق مع الوزارة قبل إقرار أي مشروعات أو وضع أي مخططات من شأنها التأثير على تلك الوجهات السياحية أو المقوّمات السياحية، سواء بصورةٍ مؤقتة أو دائمة.
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 7 explained in plain English
This article protects tourism destinations and assets and the reputation of tourism in the Kingdom, and it contains three provisions:
- The general prohibition: it is prohibited for anyone to:
- Harm the reputation of tourism in the Kingdom.
- Encroach on tourism destinations and assets or damage them.
- Do any act that would harm their value or tourism importance.
- Protection mechanism: the Ministry of Tourism must coordinate with the Ministry of Interior and relevant bodies to set a mechanism that ensures the protection of destinations and assets and prevents encroachment on them.
- Taking them into account in planning: government bodies responsible for planning, when planning cities, villages and state-owned projects, must take their preservation into account, and coordinate with the Ministry before approving any project or plan that may affect them, whether temporarily or permanently.
Violating this prohibition is a violation of the Law's provisions. Anyone facing a charge of encroaching on a tourism site can consult a lawyer who specializes in administrative cases.
Practical example
A person wrote on rocks at a natural site within a tourism destination in AlUla, damaging its tourism value. This act is an encroachment on tourism assets that this article prohibits, without prejudice to other relevant laws.
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 7 of the Saudi Tourism Law
Is harming the reputation of tourism in Saudi Arabia a violation?
Yes. The article prohibits harming the reputation of tourism in the Kingdom, without prejudice to the relevant laws and regulations.
Do government projects near tourism sites need the Ministry of Tourism's approval?
Planning bodies must coordinate with the Ministry before approving any project or plan that may affect tourism destinations or assets.
What does encroaching on tourism assets mean?
It includes encroaching on them, damaging them, or any act that harms their value or tourism importance.
More articles on Tourism Destinations and Assets
- Article 5
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.
1- تتولى الوزارة، والجهات الحكومية -كلٌّ في حدود اختصاصه- العمل على تحقيق مستهدفات النظام والاستراتيجية، بالتكامل والشراكة مع القطاع الخاص والقطاع غير الربحي وا
- 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 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.