The Saudi Ministry of Tourism issues 10 regulations for the development of the sector, and a 90-day deadline for harmonization
Today, Sunday, the Saudi Ministry of Tourism issued 10 new regulations concerned with developing the tourism sector and keeping pace with the renaissance that the Kingdom is witnessing in various fields.
The new regulations aim to contribute to providing an attractive investment environment in which business ease, innovation and sustainability are taken into account, improving the quality of services provided and protecting the rights of tourists, in addition to supporting the sector and increasing job opportunities.
The new regulations took into account the needs of the sector and were drafted after an extensive review of the views and observations of various stakeholders. The regulations also covered the tourism hospitality facility, travel and tourism services, tourism guidance, management of tourism hospitality facilities, tourism consultancy, private tourism hospitality facility, pilot activities, and inspection of tourism activities. And committees to look into violations of the tourism system and tourist destinations, according to the Saudi Press Agency, “SPA”.
Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khatib said that the new regulations complement the steps that the Ministry of Tourism is working on to achieve the goals of the general strategy for the development of national tourism. These regulations also allow the ministry to enhance cooperation with the private sector and provide job opportunities for national competencies in the tourism sector.
He explained that the regulations issued on the basis of the system included provisions for regulating tourism activities of all kinds, as well as adding new activities to the tourism market, and provisions for organizing control and inspection to ensure the quality of services.
He pointed out that the regulations issued based on the tourism system were prepared in accordance with the best international practices that were selected based on the index of the top ten countries in the competitiveness of tourism and travel issued by the World Economic Forum, and they also come in line with the directives of the wise leadership to build a competitive tourism sector globally.
His Excellency noted the unlimited support and great interest in the tourism sector from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Highness the Crown Prince – may God protect them – considering that investment in the tourism sector is one of the pillars of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
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The Ministry has given dealers in the tourism sector a period of 90 days to adjust their conditions in line with the new requirements and standards, especially since the regulations of the system are rich in activities, categories and different types through which services are provided in the tourism sector.
Dealers in the tourism sector can view the new regulations by visiting the official website of the ministry or inquiring about them through the official channels of the ministry in social media platforms and tourism communication centers, and that this deadline is an opportunity to correct the situation and merge with the current renaissance in the Kingdom to enhance the partnership between the ministry and investors in The tourism sector for a sustainable tourism future.
The Ministry asked dealers in the tourism sector to take into account the contents of the new regulations when practicing tourism activities in order to preserve the rights of tourists and the quality of services provided, and to avoid the application of legal penalties and fines against them.
