Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism has mandated that all booking platforms, both local and international, remove listings of tourist and private hospitality facilities operating without a valid ministry license. Effective January 1, 2025, this move aims to enhance service quality for tourists and ensure compliance within the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding hospitality sector.
Platforms failing to comply with this directive may face penalties, including fines of up to SAR 1 million (approximately $267,000), facility closures, or both. The ministry has observed violations where unlicensed facilities were marketed on booking platforms, undermining regulatory standards and potentially compromising visitor experiences.
This initiative is part of a broader campaign to enforce licensing and classification standards within the hospitality industry. All hospitality establishments are required to obtain or renew their licenses before commencing operations. The ministry has instructed service providers and booking platforms to ensure that displayed listings align with the official classifications granted by the ministry.
To support this effort, the ministry launched the “Our Guests Are Priority” campaign, emphasising the importance of adhering to licensing and classification requirements.
