Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism has approved amendments to the Tables of Violations and Penalties and Enforcement Rules for all tourism activities, in a move designed to strengthen compliance, enhance regulatory efficiency, and improve service quality across destinations nationwide.
Under the revised framework, the Ministry of Tourism will determine penalties using precise criteria that consider the location and size of each tourism facility, marking a crucial step toward supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and promoting fair compliance with the Tourism Law.
The updated tables also ensure proportionality between the penalty, the size of the facility, the class of the activity, and the nature of the violation.
Saudi tourism rules
The Ministry of Tourism has introduced a new classification for major violations to ensure strict handling of offences that significantly affect the tourism industry.
In a further step toward fair enforcement, the Ministry established the principle of issuing warnings for non-major violations, allowing a grace period for facilities to rectify issues before penalties are imposed.
The Ministry said the changes aim to enhance service quality, uphold safety standards, and safeguard visitor rights across the Kingdom’s fast-growing tourism sector.
As part of the amendments, several violations have been reclassified to reflect their impact on service quality and visitor safety.
The Ministry of Tourism also upgraded enforcement procedures to promote greater transparency and discipline.
Tourism penalties
According to the amended tables, operating tourism activities without a licence from the Ministry, engaging in activities after a licence or permit has been revoked or expired, or conducting any activity that could endanger public safety or harm the reputation of Saudi tourism, are now considered major violations.
This classification also includes obstructing inspectors or refusing to cooperate, with penalties that may include licence revocation or partial or full closure of facilities.
The amendments followed extensive consultations with investors, operators, and tourism professionals, conducted through meetings and workshops across multiple Saudi cities and regions.
The Ministry of Tourism affirmed that these updates form part of an integrated legislative and regulatory framework designed to enhance the efficiency of the tourism investment ecosystem, empower compliant investors, and ensure a safe, high-quality tourism experience for all visitors.
Officials urged all tourism facilities to review and comply with the amended tables and regulations, published on its official website.
The Ministry also confirmed that it will continue inspection campaigns nationwide and impose legal penalties on violators.
Key changes at a glance
- Penalties now tailored by facility size and location — ensuring fairness and proportionality
- New “major violations” category for serious breaches affecting safety or reputation
- Warnings and grace periods introduced for non-major violations before penalties apply
- Stricter penalties for unlicensed activity, obstructing inspectors, or endangering public safety
- Extensive sector consultation with investors, operators, and professionals across Saudi Arabia
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