Saudi Red Sea Authority has commenced on-ground inspections to issue licenses for coastal tourism activities

According to a recent SRSA news release, the Saudi Red Sea Authority (SRSA) has started on-ground inspections as part of the procedure to provide licences for coastal tourism operations. An initial step in granting licences to marina operators and agents for maritime tourism was the completion of 14 trips to Jeddah, Jazan, and Al Laith during the inspections. This project complies with the new rules that went into effect on November 5, 2023. These laws are the product of SRSA's joint work with partners in the public and commercial sectors. They are intended to support SRSA's goal of promoting environmental sustainability with a thriving coastal tourist industry.

Along the coast of the Red Sea, the licencing of tourist marina operators is anticipated to improve customer service standards, expedite marina operations, and guarantee boat and visitor safety. Moreover, the authorization of marine tourist representatives would enable them to provide exceptional services to cruise ships and yachts.

The expansion of Saudi Arabia's coastline tourism is praised for this historic and inventive step towards the issuance of new licences. The SRSA's continued effort to collaborate with its partners demonstrates its commitment to advancing marine tourism and navigational operations around the Red Sea in line with Saudi Vision 2030's goals.

SRSA was created by a Cabinet decision in November 2021, and its mandate includes regulating marine tourism and navigational activities, creating plans, strategies, and policies, identifying navigational sites, obtaining the required licences and permits, establishing infrastructure requirements, and defining service standards. In addition, the authority is committed to promoting the nation's thriving coastline tourist industry by fostering investment, protecting the environment, strengthening specialised people capabilities, and increasing Saudi Arabia's GDP and tourism sector.