Article 8 of the Saudi Tourism Law
المادة 8 من نظام السياحة
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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
دون إخلال بالأنظمة واللوائح ذات العلاقة، يصدر بقرار من الوزير-بالتنسيق مع الجهات المختصة- قواعد استثمار الوجهات السياحية والتسهيلات اللازمة لها.
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 8 explained in plain English
This article deals with investment in tourism destinations. After destinations are designated by decision of the Council of Ministers under Article 6, and protected from encroachment under Article 7, this article regulates how they are invested in.
The article provides:
- Competent authority: the Minister of Tourism issues the rules by decision.
- Coordination requirement: this is done in coordination with the competent bodies, because destinations may include properties and responsibilities that belong to other bodies.
- Content of the decision: the rules for investing in tourism destinations, and the facilities needed for that investment.
- Other laws are not affected: the relevant laws and regulations remain in force; the Minister's rules do not cancel them.
The article does not say what these rules or facilities are; they are found in the Minister's decision itself. So an investor who wants a project inside a tourism destination should consult the decision regulating this and the other relevant laws. They can consult a lawyer who specializes in investment or commercial cases before entering the project.
Practical example
A company wants to build a resort within a tourism destination designated by the Council of Ministers on the Red Sea coast. It must review the destination investment rules and facilities that the Minister of Tourism issues by decision, along with the 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 8 of the Saudi Tourism Law
Who sets the investment rules in tourism destinations?
The Minister of Tourism issues them by decision, in coordination with the competent bodies.
Do the tourism investment rules cancel other laws?
No. The rules are issued without prejudice to the relevant laws and regulations.
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 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
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.