The Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA) has released the Introductory Guide to Coastal Tourism Activities, marking a "first of its kind" digital gateway to help grow the sector.
The guide streamlines all relevant information, regulations and procedures into a single, centralised electronic reference for tourists, investors and practitioners. It has been designed to shorten processing timelines and transform the information-seeking journey into a smooth, reliable and fully integrated digital experience. The guide also includes a comprehensive FAQ section, along with clear, advisory-based guidance outlining permitted and prohibited practices.
The first series of the guide is dedicated to yachting activities, offering a clear and practical end-to-end pathway for a yacht’s journey from arrival to departure. This includes procedures, documentation, licenses and permits, mechanisms for identifying and confirming the port of entry (port/marina) through a licensed agent, as well as directories of approved service providers (maritime tourism agents, yacht charter companies and marinas). It also includes safety and environmental sustainability guidelines, alongside periodic updates of regulatory requirements.
"The significance of the guide stems from its role as a foundational enabler for the coastal tourism activities sector, one of the key drivers of tourism growth," the SRSA stated. "Its launch is the result of intensive coordination efforts led by the Authority in collaboration with relevant entities to ensure role integration, foster an attractive tourism and investment environment, support the sector’s accelerating growth and align with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030."
The announcement forms part of a broader effort to enhance yachting activity within Saudi Arabia and the Red Sea. BOATPro recently spoke with the CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) to learn more about the country’s bold plans for transforming the yachting landscape and the future of tourism in the region.
Read More/Interview: Saudi Tourism Authority on positioning the Red Sea as superyachting's next frontier