In this Law, the following terms and phrases shall have the meanings assigned thereto, unless the context requires otherwise:
Law: Tourism Law.
Regulations: One or more regulations issued for the implementation of the provisions of this Law.
Ministry: Ministry of Tourism.
Minister: Minister of Tourism.
Tourism: The temporary travel or movement of an individual or group of individuals to, from, or within the Kingdom, for any tourism purpose; or the utilization of one or more tourism services as well as complementary and specialized tourism services.
Tourist: A natural person who legally stays for a period of not less than one night outside his usual place of residence for the purpose of tourism, or utilizes one or more tourism services as well as complementary and specialized tourism services.
Strategy: The approved general strategy for the development of national tourism.
Tourist Resources: Any natural or material resources of touristic value, including natural landmarks and destinations as well as sites and buildings of historical or archaeological significance, and the like.
Tourist Destination: Any geographical area or location where tourism activities are practiced or targeted, or which contains tourism resources, as specified in Article 6 of this Law.
Tourist Facility: Any real property, building, or place licensed by the Ministry where a tourism activity or the like is practiced.
Travel and Tourism Services: Arranging, organizing, and providing tourism- related services, including tours and tourism programs, the sale and marketing of travel tickets by licensed companies, visa issuance services or other travel- related services, services related to tourism activities or accommodation facilities and reservation thereof, and the like.
Tourist Guidance: The practice of guiding tourists at tourist destinations and other places.
Tourist Accommodation Facility: Any place that provides tourist accommodation for a fee, whether operating on a permanent or temporary basis.
Tourism Activities: Any activity under the jurisdiction of the Ministry, including tourist guidance, travel and tourism services, management or operation of accommodation facilities, provision of tourism consultations, experiential activities, and the like, as specified by the Regulations, as well as any activity determined pursuant to a Council of Ministers’ resolution to be subject to licensing by the Ministry, upon a proposal from the Minister.
Specialized Tourism Activities: Activities targeting a specific category of tourists, which are subject to the jurisdiction of a government agency or agencies other than the Ministry, such as health tourism, sports tourism, exhibition tourism, festival tourism, and the like.
Complementary Tourism Activities: Any activity practiced by a natural or legal person which involves the provision of a service or product to tourists for a fee and which directly impacts their experience, such as restaurants, parks, theme parks, auditoria, traditional and folk crafts, and transportation and car rental services.
License: A document issued by the Ministry to practice an activity or provide a service in the field of tourism in accordance with this Law.
Licensee: Any natural or legal person holding a license issued by the Ministry in accordance with this Law.

1. A license or permit must be obtained from the Ministry prior to engaging in any tourism activity, as determined by the Regulations.
2. The Regulations shall specify the provisions relating to licenses, permits, criteria, and requirements necessary for the practice of tourism activities falling within the Ministry’s jurisdiction, as well as the provisions relating to the classification of activities.
3. Additional criteria and requirements for the issuance of licenses, permits, and approvals necessary for practicing complementary and specialized tourism activities and monitoring such activities by the relevant agencies in tourist destinations shall be determined pursuant to a decision by the Minister, upon coordination with the competent agencies.

A licensee shall:
1. provide the best services, as per approved standards;
2. comply with the conditions and requirements for licensing and classification during their validity, as specified by the Regulations;
3. register the data of all his employees with the Ministry, and update such data in the event of any change thereto within a period not exceeding three months from the date of such change;
4. submit tourism data, information, and statistics to the Ministry, as specified
by the Regulations; and
5. comply with the Ministry’s decisions and instructions.

A licensee shall provide financial guarantees for tourism activities requiring such guarantees. The Regulations shall specify said activities and the provisions related to the guarantees, including their amounts and conditions as well as the manner of collecting the fines and any amounts due to third parties from such guarantees, in agreement with the Ministry of Finance.

1. The Ministry and government agencies, each within their jurisdiction, shall endeavor to achieve the objectives of this Law and the Strategy, in collaboration and partnership with the private sector, non-profit sector, and local community.
2. Without prejudice to relevant laws and regulations, government and private agencies shall adhere to the criteria, conditions, and rules stipulated in Article 2(3) of this Law, which represent the minimum required criteria and rules, and which shall not restrict the powers of such agencies to apply more stringent criteria or other rules.

1. Tourist destinations, and all matters related thereto, shall be determined pursuant to a Council of Ministers’ resolution upon a proposal by the Minister, particularly the following:
a) Identifying tourist resources to be exploited, and targeted tourism activities.
b) Specifying State real property or property allocated to government agencies at tourist destinations.
c) Setting the requirements for environment protection and the application of environmental standards, in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Law.
d) Stating all matters related to the responsibilities, competencies, and powers of government agencies, in order to propose the Ministry’s participation therein or the transfer of the same to the Ministry within the limits of a tourist destination.
e) Setting urban planning requirements for a tourist destination.
f) Setting rules for the disposition of a tourist destination for the purpose of development and investment thereof, in accordance with applicable statutory procedures.
g) Setting the criteria, requirements, and mechanisms necessary for the practice of tourism activities in a tourist destination.
h) Identifying the economic and social impact on the area where the tourist destination is located.
The Regulations shall specify the other requirements necessary to identify tourist destinations and matters related thereto.
2. Without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article, a tourist destination may not be designated except upon coordination with the Ministry.
3. The Ministry and the State Properties General Authority shall identify State- owned tourist destinations that the Ministry deems appropriate for tourism development, as referred to in paragraph 1(b) of this Article.

1. Without prejudice to relevant laws and regulations, it is prohibited to undermine the reputation of tourism in the Kingdom, encroach on or cause damage to tourist destinations and tourist resources, or take any action that would harm their touristic value or importance.
2. The Ministry shall coordinate with the Ministry of Interior and other relevant agencies to develop a mechanism to ensure the protection of tourist destinations and resources, and to prevent encroachment thereon.
3. Government agencies in charge of planning shall, upon planning cities, villages, and State-owned projects, take into account the preservation of tourist destinations and resources, and shall coordinate with the Ministry prior to approving any projects or developing any plans that would temporarily or permanently affect such destinations and resources.

Without prejudice to relevant laws and regulations, the Minister shall, in a decision issued thereby in coordination with the competent authorities, determine the rules for investment in tourist destinations, and any facilitations required therefor.

1. Taking into account the services provided by existing government centers and electronic platforms and avoiding duplication of roles, the Minister may, pursuant to a decision issued thereby and upon coordination with the relevant agencies, set up a comprehensive service center or electronic platform to provide the services necessary for tourism, tourists, and tourist service providers, or integrate with other government centers and electronic platforms, as specified by the Regulations.
2. The Ministry shall establish a database to provide data, statistics, and information on all tourism-related aspects in the Kingdom in line with international best practices, as well as to provide the necessary information to tourism stakeholders, including investors, associations, service providers, tourists, and others. Such data, statistics, and information shall be updated regularly, in coordination with the relevant agencies, and shall be published on the Ministry’s website, as specified by the Regulations.
3. Government agencies, companies, and other entities engaged in tourism activities, as defined by the Regulations shall, without prejudice to relevant laws and regulations, provide the Ministry with any information or documents the Ministry deems necessary for the tourism sector.

If the Ministry, in coordination with competent authorities, finds that a tourist facility poses an imminent danger to public health or safety, it shall take the necessary precautionary measures, including the closure of said facility. If it is an accommodation facility, it shall be immediately evacuated, and all guests legally residing therein shall be moved to an alternative accommodation. The Regulations shall specify relevant rules.