Saudi Tourism Regulation [En]

If the Ministry, in coordination with competent authorities, finds that a tourist facility poses an imminent danger to public health or safety, it shall take the necessary precautionary measures, including the closure of said facility. If it is an accommodation facility, it shall be immediately evacuated, and all guests legally residing therein shall be moved to an alternative accommodation. The Regulations shall specify relevant rules. Tourism Law Article Eleven The Regulations shall determine the fees for the following: Licenses for tourism activities issued by the Ministry. Services and activities provided by the Ministry under this Law and its Regulations. Article Twelve The Ministry shall issue approvals for tourist visas in accordance with rules agreed upon with the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Regulations shall specify procedures for the issuance of said approvals. Article Thirteen Inspectors appointed by the Minister shall record and investigate violations of this Law and its Regulations, and shall verify that tourism activities satisfy relevant conditions and rules. In carrying out their duties, said inspectors may review records and data, receive complaints, question the staff of the facility under inspection, and obtain any information they require. They shall detect and record violations and refer them to the Committee stipulated in Article 15(1) of this Law. Inspectors may not be prevented from performing the duties stipulated in this Article. Owners and workers of facilities under inspection shall cooperate with the inspectors and provide them with the required assistance. Tourism Law The Ministry may, without prejudice to the main duties assigned thereto under this Law, outsource certain duties to specialized companies or agencies in accordance with rules specified by the Regulations. Article Fourteen The Minister shall form a committee or more, comprising at least three members, one of whom is a legal specialist to review violations of this Law and its Regulations and impose the penalties stipulated in Article 16 of this Law, excluding instantly issued fines stipulated in Article 16(5). The Regulations shall specify the committee’s work procedure, and the remuneration of committee members shall be determined pursuant to a decision by the Minister. Article Fifteen Without prejudice to any harsher penalty stipulated in another law nor to the right of an aggrieved party to be compensated for any damage sustained as a result of violating the provisions of this Law, any person who violates any of the provisions of this Law or its Regulations shall be subject to one or more of the following penalties: a) A warning notice. b) Temporary or permanent closure of the tourist facility or part thereof. c) Lowering of classification. d) Suspension of license for a period not exceeding one year. e) Revocation of license. f) A fine not exceeding one million riyals. The committee referred to in Article 15(1) of this Law may: Article Sixteen Tourism Law a. b. c. Impose a fine on the violator for each day the violation continues after notification of the committee’s decision; said fine shall be calculated from the date specified by such decision. Double the fine imposed on the violator without exceeding its maximum limit in case the violation is repeated; a violation shall be deemed repeated if committed within one year from the date of committing the previous violation. Include in the penalty decision the publication of its contents at the expense of the violator in a local newspaper issued in the area of his residence or, if his area has no local newspaper, in the local newspaper nearest to his place of residence, or by using any other appropriate medium, depending on the type, gravity, and impact of the violation; the decision shall be published only after it becomes final either upon the lapse of the statutory period or the issuance of a final ruling thereon. The penalty decision shall include a provision compelling the violator to rectify the violation, pay the damages, and refund collected amounts to their owners, if any. Collected amounts and gains shall be deposited with the State treasury. The penalty shall be proportionate to the violation, taking into consideration the nature and gravity of the violation, as well as aggravating and mitigating circumstances. The Minister shall issue a table comprising a classification of violations and their corresponding penalties, as provided for in paragraph (1) of this Article, as well as the amount and duration of such penalties, taking into account the gradual application thereof. Said table shall include violations that entail a fine not exceeding ten thousand riyals instantly issued by the competent inspector upon detection. Decisions issued by the Ministry may be appealed before the Administrative Court within 60 days from the date of notification of the decision. Tourism Law The Minister shall issue the Regulations within 90 days from the date of publication of this Law in the Official Gazette. The Regulations shall become effective from the date this Law enters into force. Article Seventeen This Law shall supersede the Tourism Law issued by Royal Decree No. (M/2), dated 9/1/1436H, and shall repeal any provisions conflicting therewith. Article Eighteen This Law shall enter into force 90 days following the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. Article Eighteen