There’s no denying that Saudi’s tourism evolution is going full force ahead. Not only are massive investments in attractions, infrastructure, and giga-projects being made, with spectacular plans to bring in the world’s biggest sporting events, entertainers, and more, the Kingdom is now doubling down on confidence for travellers and travel providers.
The Ministry of Tourism has just rolled out tougher rules to boost quality, transparency, and service excellence across every level of the industry. The goal? To align Saudi’s hospitality standards with the world’s best, and ensure visitors experience top-tier professionalism every time.
What does this mean? Well, this means every hotel, resort, homestay, and tour operator must now meet strict licensing criteria. Those without proper approval could face fines of up to SAR 250,000 (about USD 67,000) in key destinations including Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Alkhobar, and the Kingdom’s flagship giga-projects of NEOM, The Red Sea, Diriyah, Amaala, and Qiddiya.
In short, Saudi Arabia is serious about building a tourism sector global partners can rely on.
Confidence for travel providers
These changes mark a big win for OTAs, travel agents, wholesalers, and DMCs alike. With tougher compliance checks and stronger service standards, you can now book and sell Saudi experiences with greater confidence in quality, safety, and reliability.
And here’s another major plus – bilingual service is now mandatory. Yep, every licensed tourism business must be able to communicate in both Arabic and English, whether over the phone, by email, or in person. So no more “lost in translation” moments when confirming hotel details or managing traveller requests.
Higher standards, heavier fines
Under the updated framework:
- Tier 1 cities (Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah, Alkhobar, NEOM, etc.) face fines of up to SAR 250,000 (USD 67,000) for operating unlicensed.
- Tier 2 regions (Taif, Dammam, Abha, Jazan, Tabuk, Hail, Najran, Jubail) could see fines of up to **SAR 150,000 (USD 40,000).
- Missing or “borrowing” another facility’s licence may cost up to SAR 60,000 (USD 16,000).
Tourism inspectors now have the power to issue on-the-spot fines for smaller infractions, while persistent non-compliance could lead to licence suspension or permanent closure.
This might sound a bit firm or even harsh, but it’s necessary to create a trustworthy, consistent, and premium tourism ecosystem that international partners can promote with pride.
For travellers, these new measures mean better communication, safer stays, and a smoother experience across the board. For the global trade, they mean dependable products, transparent operations, and a shared commitment to excellence. Brilliant!
As we see it, Saudi’s transformation is incredibly fast, bold, and smart, from introducing Michelin Keys for luxury hotels to modernising every layer of the visitor experience. Not only is the Kingdom leading the future of travel, it’s also future-proofing it one regulation, one bilingual conversation, and one confident partnership at a time.
