Saudi Arabia launches guide to coastal tourism activities for yachts and the Red Sea
In a strategic move aimed at enhancing Saudi Arabia's position as a leading global tourism destination, the Saudi Red Sea Authority a unified guide to coastal tourism activities. This significant initiative aims to standardize regulatory and informational frameworks, making it easier for tourists, investors, and practitioners to access all regulations and procedures through a centralized online platform. This reflects the Kingdom's commitment to developing its digital infrastructure to serve the tourism sector.
A comprehensive window into a seamless tourist experience
The guide is designed to be a comprehensive resource, eliminating information overload and the need for multiple sources. It provides users with complete content, including requirements, conditions, and updated procedures, all in one place. This organization aims to save time and effort, transforming the research and planning process into a reliable and seamless digital experience, supported by clear guidelines, frequently asked questions, and precise recommendations on what is permitted and prohibited, presented in a simple and straightforward manner.
Yacht tourism... the first of its kind publications
The Authority launched the first series of its guide, focusing on yachting , given its growing importance in luxury tourism. The guide provides a practical itinerary for a yacht journey from arrival to departure, including regulations, documentation, licenses, and how to identify access points. It also offers a database of accredited service providers, such as shipping agents and charter companies, with a strong emphasis on safety guidelines and environmental sustainability requirements to protect coral reefs and wildlife.
Strategic context: Vision 2030 and the blue economy
This event cannot be separated from the broader context of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which aims to diversify income sources and reduce dependence on oil. The Red Sea, with its coastline stretching over 1,800 kilometers and its wealth of natural treasures and pristine islands, is a cornerstone of the national tourism strategy. Since its establishment by a Cabinet decision in 2021, the Saudi Red Sea Authority has worked to regulate maritime and navigational activities to ensure the sustainable exploitation of these resources, thus contributing to the development of the “blue economy” in the region.
Safety and sustainability are top priorities
The guide is updated regularly to meet regulatory requirements, ensuring user protection and outlining complaint handling mechanisms. The safety system is further enhanced by the "Challenge" premium insurance program, designed to cover risks associated with coastal tourism activities. The guide also includes suggested itineraries combining adventure, environmental exploration, and cultural experiences, with precise identification of refueling points, making it an indispensable resource for advance planning.
Expected economic impact
This guide is significant because it serves as a key driver for empowering the private sector and attracting foreign direct investment to the coastal tourism sector. Streamlining procedures and clarifying regulations are expected to increase the number of visiting yachts and cruise ships, positively impacting the creation of new job opportunities for Saudi youth in hospitality, tour guiding, and maritime logistics, and supporting the Kingdom's goal of reaching 150 million tourist visits annually by 2030.
