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| Ministry of Tourism (Saudi Arabia) | |
|---|---|
| Agency name | Ministry of Tourism (Saudi Arabia) |
| Native name | وزارة السياحة |
| Formed | 2020 |
| Preceding1 | Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage |
| Jurisdiction | Kingdom of Saudi Arabia |
| Headquarters | Riyadh |
| Minister | Ahmed Al-Khateeb |
| Website | Official website |
Ministry of Tourism (Saudi Arabia) is the central Saudi Arabian agency responsible for national tourism policy, destination development, and sector regulation within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The ministry coordinates with regional authorities such as the Riyadh Region and Makkah Region, interfaces with international actors like the United Nations World Tourism Organization and the World Travel & Tourism Council, and supports mega-projects including NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and Qiddiya.
The ministry was established in 2020 following restructuring that involved the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, and initiatives under Vision 2030, aligning with projects like NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and Diriyah Gate. Early activities referenced precedents including the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage's programs in Al-Ula and Hegra, and engaged institutions such as the Royal Commission for AlUla, the Public Investment Fund, and the Ministry of Culture. Major milestones include policy announcements tied to Vision 2030, partnerships with the United Nations World Tourism Organization, and coordination with the Ministry of Interior on visa reforms exemplified by e-visa schemes and initiatives promoted alongside the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The ministry's leadership structure comprises a Minister, deputy ministers, and directorates that liaise with regional governors in Riyadh, Mecca, and Madinah; notable personnel have engaged with bodies like the Public Investment Fund, the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones, and the General Entertainment Authority. Executive offices coordinate with international entities such as the World Travel & Tourism Council, the International Air Transport Association, and airlines including Saudia and Emirates, while internal directorates manage heritage sites in Al-Ula, Hegra, and Diriyah, and collaborate with cultural institutions like the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture and the Misk Foundation. Advisory councils incorporate representatives from the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority, the Ministry of Finance, and global consultancies such as Deloitte and McKinsey & Company.
The ministry's mandate includes destination marketing, licensing of tourism operators, standards for hotels and resorts, and regulation of touristic permits in collaboration with the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization and the General Authority of Civil Aviation. Responsibilities extend to coordinating heritage conservation at Hegra with the Royal Commission for AlUla, managing events linked to the Saudi Seasons program and Riyadh Season, and developing policies affecting inbound travel with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior, and the General Directorate of Passports. The ministry also oversees workforce development in partnership with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, and academic institutions such as King Saud University and Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.
Strategic initiatives include implementation of Vision 2030-related projects like NEOM, Qiddiya, the Red Sea Project, and Diriyah, alongside campaigns with the Saudi Tourism Authority, the Public Investment Fund, and the National Transformation Program. Programs target cultural tourism through conservation work at Al-Ula and Hegra with the Royal Commission for AlUla and the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, and leisure tourism via partnerships with operators such as Accor, Marriott International, and Hilton Worldwide. Initiatives also encompass sustainability frameworks aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and collaborations with the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, and the Global Infrastructure Facility to attract investment from sovereign funds and multinational corporations.
Development projects administered or supported involve mega-developments including NEOM, the Red Sea Project, Qiddiya, and the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, as well as heritage-led regeneration in Al-Ula and Hegra connected to UNESCO and its World Heritage List. The ministry coordinates infrastructure work with the Public Investment Fund, the Saudi Railways Organization, and the General Authority of Civil Aviation to enhance connectivity through King Abdulaziz International Airport, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Airport, and new tourism ports. Private-sector engagement includes hotel and resort investments from Accor, Marriott International, Jumeirah Group, and hospitality operators, while financing and project management draw on international banks, development finance institutions, and construction firms such as Bechtel and Saudi Binladin Group.
International engagement includes membership and cooperation with the United Nations World Tourism Organization, partnerships with the World Travel & Tourism Council, and bilateral agreements with countries including the United Kingdom, United States, China, Japan, and regional partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council. The ministry has signed memoranda with national tourism boards such as VisitBritain, Tourism Australia, and the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, and collaborates with airlines including Saudia, Emirates, and Qatar Airways, as well as with multinational hospitality groups and cultural organizations like UNESCO, the British Museum, and the Louvre for exhibitions and capacity-building.
Regulatory functions encompass licensing of travel agencies, tour operators, and accommodation providers in coordination with the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization, the General Authority of Civil Aviation, and municipal authorities in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. Standards address hotel classification, safety, and service quality with input from international bodies such as the International Air Transport Association and certification firms, while enforcement works alongside the Ministry of Interior, the General Directorate of Passports, and the Ministry of Commerce for consumer protection and compliance. Licensing reforms have been implemented to streamline investor procedures with the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority and the National Competitiveness Center.
Category:Government ministries of Saudi Arabia Category:Tourism in Saudi Arabia