Guidelines for Establishing Travel Agencies in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, a country dominated by the oil industry, has been vigorously promoting the development of its tourism industry in recent years.With the Saudi government's decision to issue instant tourist visas in 2019 and the launch of the grand "2030 Vision" plan, Saudi Arabia is working to reduce its dependence on oil and showcase its potential as a tourist destination to the world.

This article is the Sudege "Saudi Business" series, which provides an in-depth introduction to industrial policies, laws and regulations, industry trends, market demand, competitive landscape, and potential transaction opportunities in the fields of investment, trade, and engineering construction between China and Saudi Arabia.

At present, the Saudi government has planned over 810 billion US dollars in tourism projects, aiming to make Saudi Arabia a tourism leader in the Middle East and even globally.For entrepreneurs and investors seeking new opportunities, Saudi Arabia is undoubtedly an attractive choice.The rapid rise of its tourism industry, as well as strong government support for the tourism industry, has made setting up a travel agency here a very promising decision.

 1 ：How to apply for a travel and tourism activity permit in Saudi Arabia?

The Saudi government has established an electronic portal specifically for processing various permit applications related to tourism activities, in order to facilitate applicants. These licenses include tourism operator/organizer license, tourism and travel agency license, tour guide license, and tourism accommodation facility license.

Through this electronic licensing service portal, applicants can easily complete all the application processes, including applying for new licenses, modifying licenses, modifying business names, changing locations, adding or canceling activities, updating, transferring, and canceling licenses.

 2 ：Basic prerequisites for obtaining a license

Before applying for a license, applicants need to meet the following four basic prerequisites:

Business registration: Except for tour guide activity permits, all other types of tourism activity permits require business registration.

Municipal permit: Similarly, in addition to the tour guide activity permit, applicants also need to obtain a municipal permit.

Unified Access Service Account: Applicants need to have a unified access service account in order to apply on the electronic portal.

Domestic address: Applicants must provide an address within Saudi Arabia.

3：Other considerations for establishing a travel agency

In addition to obtaining necessary permits, setting up a travel agency also requires consideration of other factors such as market research, business plans, funding sources, personnel recruitment, and marketing strategies. In emerging markets like Saudi Arabia, understanding the local culture, customs, and business environment is also very important.

4： summarize

The tourism industry in Saudi Arabia is experiencing an unprecedented period of development, providing enormous opportunities for investors and entrepreneurs. It is entirely feasible to establish a successful travel agency by following government regulations and procedures, as well as making sufficient market preparations and business plans. I hope this article can provide valuable guidance and assistance for you to establish a travel agency in Saudi Arabia.