The Saudi Red Sea Authority  has made significant progress in building and organizing a thriving coastal tourism sector. It has established regulations, rules, procedures, and technical codes based on the best international standards and specifications, meeting the regulatory and technical requirements essential for the prosperity of coastal tourism. This effort supports the necessary infrastructure, preserves and protects the marine environment, and attracts investment for navigational and marine tourism activities. As a result, the Red Sea is positioned to become one of the premier destinations for coastal tourism, aligning with the objectives of Vision 2030.

A global experience

The regulations issued by SRSA create broad investment opportunities for the coastal tourism sector in the Red Sea and open doors to a pioneering future in coastal tourism. These regulations aim to achieve the highest standards in organizing navigational and marine tourism activities, contributing to the diversification of the national economy, the preservation of natural resources, and the protection and sustainability of the marine environment for future generations.

Regulations and codes
The eight regulations issued by SRSA are the first of their kind in the Kingdom and aim to regulate coastal tourism activities in the Red Sea in cooperation with relevant entities. These regulations, along with the licenses and permits issued according to them, serve as regulatory tools that stimulate investment by providing a strong and secure legislative environment with low risks and high potential returns. This framework is designed to achieve the highest standards of safety and security for practitioners, investors, and beneficiaries.

These regulations include the following: the Cruise Ships Regulation, the Visiting Private Yacht Regulation, the Marine Tour Operator Regulation, the Marine Tourism Watercraft Classification Regulation, the Maritime Tourism Agent Regulation, the Large Yacht Chartering Regulation, the Marina Design and Operations Regulation, and the Saudi Yachts Regulation.

SRSA worked diligently to prepare these regulations in coordination with relevant entities, organizing navigational activities for cruise ships and yachts of all kinds while issuing the necessary licenses and permits. This collaboration enables practitioners to promote coastal tourism in the Red Sea and supports economic development and environmental sustainability.

In a significant step, SRSA issued four technical codes aimed at developing coastal tourism infrastructure, marking the first of their kind in the Kingdom and adhering to the highest international standards and specifications. These codes include the Marina Planning and Design Code, the Cruise Terminal Planning and Design Code, the Marina Operations Code, and the Cruise Terminal Operations Code.

The codes issued in collaboration with relevant entities serve as reference documents for designing, planning, and operating cruise terminals and marinas. They provide a modern framework for organizing coastal tourism, unifying technical standards and requirements while fostering the growth of navigational and marine tourism activities. These efforts enhance the Red Sea’s status as an attractive global tourist destination.

Effective Governance
Through effective governance, SRSA aimed to create a favorable investment environment for establishing and operating marinas and enhancing yacht sector activities. This includes encouraging investment, attracting maritime tourism agents to offer tourism marine services, and providing a strong legislative framework that ensures protection, diversity, and healthy competition among activities. SRSA is committed to applying the highest international standards to guarantee the security and safety of tourists, investors, and the marine environment.

Integration
In light of Saudi Vision 2030 and its objectives, SRSA is leading efforts with relevant entities to develop the coastal tourism sector and establish an effective legislative system that promotes navigational and marine tourism activities. This initiative acknowledges the Red Sea’s importance within the Kingdom’s geographical scope and supports the national effort to diversify the economy, raise the (GDP), and promote sustainable development.