The Saudi Ministry of Tourism has announced a decisive move to regulate the hospitality sector by obliging booking platforms and applications to remove unlicensed hospitality facilities from their listings. This initiative aims to ensure the highest standards of quality for tourists and visitors across the Kingdom, reinforcing the "Our Guests Priority" campaign's focus on compliance with licensing and classification regulations.
Compliance is Non-Negotiable - Effective January 1, 2025, all local and international booking platforms must exclude unlicensed or unauthorized hospitality facilities from their listings. Violating platforms or applications will face strict penalties, including fines and other legal measures. This move ensures that all tourist and private hospitality facilities adhere to the Ministry of Tourism's requirements and operational standards.
Consequences for Non-Compliance:
The Ministry has outlined severe penalties for facilities operating without proper licenses:
Fines of up to 1 million Saudi riyals.
Possible closure of the facility.
Public disclosure of violations to maintain accountability.
Addressing Observed Violations - The decision follows identified practices where some hospitality facilities marketed their services without obtaining a Ministry license or permit. The Ministry has issued strict directives to all travel and tourism service providers, both local and international, to remove such facilities immediately and match their listings with the Ministry's classification standards.
Encouraging Public Engagement - To uphold service quality, the Ministry has urged customers to report concerns or inquiries about hospitality services through the Unified Center for Tourism (930). This engagement ensures transparency and accountability, making visitors an integral part of maintaining high standards.
A Commitment to Quality Tourism - This regulation aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader vision to enhance its tourism sector, ensuring all visitors experience reliable, licensed, and high-quality hospitality services. The initiative underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to making Saudi Arabia a world-class tourism destination.
