Saudi Ministry of Tourism updates four key industry regulations

The Saudi Ministry of Tourism has announced updates to four key regulatory frameworks governing tourism activities. These updates aim to enhance service quality, improve the tourist experience, and develop a more flexible regulatory environment that aligns with international standards.

The updated regulations include:

• Travel and Tourism Services: Simplifies licensing categories, expands service scopes, and clarifies the rights and obligations of service providers.

• Tour Guiding: Simplifies guide categories, allows guides to combine multiple regions or specialties, and regulates licensing, training, and direct contracting between guides and tourists.

• Hospitality Facilities: Enhances licensing, classification, and operational procedures, including electronic marketing, safety requirements, and the introduction of specialized hospitality categories.

• Private Hospitality Units: Transitions the regulatory status from permits to licenses, updates eligibility requirements for properties, and strengthens safety and security standards.

Ministry spokesperson Nasr Al-Ansari stated that these updates are intended to ensure the application of new standards to elevate service quality and empower investors and operators to comply with evolving industry needs.