The Cabinet issued a decision to abolish the Tourism Development Council and the regional tourism development councils, in a strategic move aimed at restructuring the institutional frameworks related to the tourism sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This decision followed recommendations from the Council of Economic and Development Affairs and the General Committee of the Cabinet, reflecting the government's commitment to modernizing regulations and developing the legislative environment for vital sectors.
Details of the decision and unification of the reference
The decision explicitly stipulated in its first clause the abolition of the Tourism Development Council, which was established under Article Two of its previous regulations, as well as the abolition of the regulations issued by the same decision. This step comes after a comprehensive review of the council's structure, responsibilities, and the regulatory frameworks under which it operated, to ensure there is no duplication of tasks with the new entities recently established within the Saudi tourism sector.
The second clause of the decision also included the abolition of regional tourism development councils and the cancellation of their regulations issued under the same decision. This measure aims to unify regulatory frameworks and modernize the governance system, ensuring streamlined decision-making and centralized strategic planning with effective decentralized implementation through the relevant authorities.
Context of transformation in the tourism sector
To understand the implications of this decision, it's essential to consider the broader context of the tourism sector's development in the Kingdom. The past few years have witnessed a radical transformation, marked by the conversion of the General Authority for Tourism and National Heritage into the Ministry of Tourism, the establishment of the Saudi Tourism Authority (responsible for promotion), and the creation of the Tourism Development Fund (responsible for financing). This integrated and modern system necessitated a review of the existing councils, which operated within a different administrative framework, to ensure complementary rather than overlapping roles.
Enhancing the efficiency of institutional performance
The decision was based on memoranda prepared by the Council of Ministers' Experts Committee, which included a comprehensive study of the regulatory and organizational dimensions. This cancellation aligns with the state's general direction in restructuring government agencies and councils to enhance institutional performance. Simplifying the administrative structure contributes to accelerating the pace of work and achievement, and strengthens integration among entities involved in developing the tourism sector, thus removing any bureaucratic obstacles that might hinder investors or impede the implementation of major tourism projects.
Kingdom Vision 2030 targets
This decision directly aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which prioritizes the tourism sector as a key pillar for diversifying national income sources. The Kingdom aims to attract 150 million visits annually by 2030 and increase the sector's contribution to GDP to 10%. Achieving these ambitious targets requires a streamlined and flexible regulatory framework that keeps pace with global changes and supports the Kingdom's competitiveness as a leading global tourist destination.
