Tourism Law and its Amendments No. 20 of 1988.

This Law, comprising 25 articles, aims to regulate tourism-related professions, activities, and establishments, including (i) travel and tourism agencies and companies; (ii) specialized tourist transportation services; (iii) hotels and other tourist accommodation establishments. Tourist guide services; (iv) traditional and folk crafts and industries, including their marketing and sale; (v) tourist restaurants and dining establishments; (vi) timeshare companies and related services. Under Article 3, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, in cooperation with the private sector and relevant public authorities, is responsible for developing, regulating, promoting, and investing in the tourism sector, including the management of tourism sites, licensing and supervision of tourism activities, tourism marketing, investment promotion, international cooperation, workforce development, and the enhancement of tourism’s contribution to the national economy. Article 6 establishes the National Tourism Council, responsible for (i) shaping and overseeing the Kingdom’s tourism policy and development by formulating tourism strategies, plans, and regulations; (ii) supporting tourism education and training; (iii) recommending the designation of tourist sites; (iv) establishing standards for licensing, classification, pricing, and tourism services; (v) advising on any other tourism-related matters referred to it by the Minister. Article 7 establishes the Tourism Committee, responsible for reviewing and making recommendations to the Minister on the licensing, classification, and renewal of tourism professions, investigating professional violations and complaints and proposing appropriate actions, considering other tourism-related matters referred to it, and, where necessary, establishing specialized subcommittees to examine specific issues and report their recommendations to the Committee. Additionally, Article 17 establishes the Tourism Promotion Authority, an entity responsible for developing, marketing, and promoting tourism domestically and internationally, defining its structure, governance, membership, and financing through regulations, while also providing for the creation of professional tourism associations and specialized tourism site authorities, setting their legal status, internal organization, and functions, including licensing requirements, membership rules, and financial resources to support tourism development and management.
The Law prohibits the practice or ownership of any tourism-related profession without obtaining a license from the Ministry. The Minister is empowered to impose sanctions for violations, including warnings, fines, temporary closure, suspension, or revocation of licenses, and may order the closure of unlicensed tourism activities or the cancellation of licenses in cases of serious misconduct or criminal conviction. Relevant authorities responsible for development, free zones, special economic zones, tourism zones, and other competent bodies must coordinate with the Ministry when preparing tourism-related plans within their jurisdictions, and the Minister may request amendments to ensure alignment and coherence with approved tourism development policies under this Law.