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The Ministry of Tourism updated four regulatory bylaws governing key tourism activities, according to a report in Saudi Gazette. The changes cover the regulation of travel and tourism services, tourist guidance, hospitality facilities and private hospitality units. A ministry statement said the revisions aim to develop the regulatory environment, enhance service efficiency and improve the overall quality of the tourism experience in the Kingdom. The announcement was published as the sector continues to expand under broader economic diversification efforts.
In the regulation for travel and tourism services, the ministry simplified license categories and expanded the scope of permitted activities while increasing operational flexibility. Multiple options for license duration were introduced alongside clearer definitions of associated rights and obligations. Standards governing the activity were raised to ensure higher quality services for visitors and operators alike, the ministry reported. These adjustments build on previous reforms designed to reduce administrative burdens in the sector.
The updated tourist guidance regulation simplifies categories and permits guides to combine more than one area and specialty when providing services, according to the ministry. Requirements for issuing and renewing licenses were organized, along with accredited courses or tests matched to each license category. Obligations of the guide during service delivery were detailed, allowing direct contracting with tourists, issuance of booking documents and clear statements on prices, payment policies, cancellations and refunds. The ministry’s framework also addresses training and compliance expectations for all licensed guides.
For hospitality facilities, the ministry developed procedures related to licensing, classification and operations while organizing rules on bookings, payments and electronic marketing. Security and safety requirements were strengthened together with provisions for staff qualification and electronic connectivity, a ministry assessment found. New specialized categories for hospitality facilities were introduced, with the classification mechanism now more closely linked to license conditions, operation quality and service levels. Establishments must meet these criteria to maintain compliance under the revised rules.
Updates to the private hospitality unit regulation follow a similar approach, focusing on vacation homes and related accommodations that have seen rising demand. The ministry incorporated provisions to improve licensing efficiency and service standards in this segment as well. According to the Ministry of Tourism’s Annual Statistical Report, the Kingdom recorded nearly 123 million domestic and international tourists in 2025, with total spending reaching SR304 billion.[[1]](https://gulfnews.com/business/tourism/saudi-tourism-hits-new-high-with-123-million-visitors-and-sr304b-in-spending-1.500580283) These regulatory changes arrive one day after GCC tourism ministers approved a joint recovery plan in Manama and expressed support for Saudi Arabia’s candidacy to the UN Tourism Executive Council, the Saudi Gazette reported.
European leisure travel to Saudi Arabia is forecast to grow by 130 percent between 2025 and 2030, according to a Tourism Economics study cited in Euronews. The sector’s contribution to gross domestic product stood at 4.9 percent in 2024, up 14 percent from the prior year, ministry figures show. The updated bylaws form part of ongoing measures to sustain this momentum and align with Vision 2030 objectives for tourism development.
