Local News
New amendments to tourism violations and stricter penalties
New amendments to tourism violations in the Kingdom to enhance service quality and tighten penalties; discover how these changes will affect the tourist experience.
The Ministry of Tourism launches new amendments to enhance the quality of tourism services in the Kingdom
In a bold move aimed at improving the level of services provided to tourists and visitors, the Ministry of Tourism announced the adoption of new amendments to the schedules of violations and penalties related to tourist hospitality facilities and private hospitality facilities, in addition to tourism activities, management of hospitality facilities and tourist guidance.
These amendments come as part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to enhance compliance with regulations and improve the quality of services provided in various tourist destinations in the cities and regions of the Kingdom.
Enhancing the efficiency of the regulatory system
The new amendments aim to enhance the efficiency of the regulatory system and improve the quality of services by defining penalties according to precise criteria that include geographical scope and the size of the establishment. This ensures fair application and that the penalty is proportionate to the size of the establishment and the nature of the violation.
This step also seeks to support small and medium enterprises and ensure their compliance with the tourism system, which enhances the competitiveness of the sector and contributes to attracting more visitors and tourists.
Special classification for serious offenses
One of the most significant aspects of the amendments is the addition of a specific classification for serious violations to ensure fair and firm handling of transgressions affecting the tourism sector. A warning system has also been implemented for non-serious violations, along with a grace period for corrective action.
This step aims to provide an opportunity to correct the course before imposing the prescribed penalty, which contributes to improving the quality of services provided, achieving approved safety standards, and ensuring the rights of tourists and visitors.
Promising future prospects
With these new amendments, the Ministry of Tourism expects the Kingdom to witness a qualitative leap in the hospitality and tourism services sector. These measures will contribute to creating a fair competitive environment among establishments and enhance visitor and tourist confidence in the services provided.
These improvements are expected to lead to an increase in the number of both international and domestic visitors, further enhancing the Kingdom’s position as a leading global tourist destination.
Local News
Minister of Justice: 43% growth in commercial arbitration supports investment in Saudi Arabia
Minister of Justice Dr. Walid Al-Samaani confirmed that the implementation of arbitration rulings grew by 43% during 2025, pointing to the role of legislation and preventive justice in enhancing investor confidence and the business environment.

His Excellency the Minister of Justice, Dr. Walid bin Mohammed Al-Samaani, affirmed that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing a qualitative transformation in its judicial and legislative system, noting that the rapid developments in this sector have directly contributed to consolidating the position of arbitration and alternative dispute resolution as strategic and reliable options for the business sector.
Enhancing legal certainty at the International Arbitration Conference
His Excellency's remarks came during his active participation in the first dialogue session of the Fifth International Conference on Commercial Arbitration, entitled "National Strategy and Global Confidence: Enhancing Legal Certainty and Investor Confidence." The Minister highlighted the strong synergy between the Kingdom's legal, judicial, and financial strategies, explaining that this integration was not accidental, but rather the product of an ambitious vision aimed at building a safe and stable investment environment.
Historical background: A legislative revolution in line with Vision 2030
These statements come amidst an unprecedented legislative movement in Saudi Arabia, driven by the goals of Vision 2030. Over the past few years, the Kingdom has worked to issue and update a range of specialized legislation, such as the Civil Transactions Law, the Evidence Law, and the Companies Law, which have formed a robust legal infrastructure. These reforms have not only aimed to expedite litigation but have also focused fundamentally on "legal certainty," something both foreign and domestic investors seek to guarantee their rights and anticipate the outcomes of their contracts with clarity and transparency.
Figures reflecting confidence: A leap in the enforcement of arbitration rulings
In the language of numbers that reflect the reality of change, Dr. Al-Samaani revealed a remarkable statistic, as the system for implementing arbitration rulings recorded a remarkable growth of 43% during the year 2025. The most significant thing is that commercial arbitration accounted for 50% of this percentage, which is a strong indicator of the increasing confidence of companies and investors in arbitration as a fast and effective way to resolve disputes away from the corridors of traditional courts, supported by the unification of enforcement jurisdiction which eliminated the fragmentation of procedures.
Preventive justice: The future of contractual stability
On another front, the Minister of Justice emphasized that the Ministry is committed to expanding the scope of "preventive justice," a modern concept aimed at preventing disputes before they arise through the documentation of rights. He noted that more than one million electronic contracts have been documented, benefiting over 1.2 million individuals. This approach not only reduces the burden on the courts but also enhances the stability of commercial transactions and mitigates investment risks, making the Kingdom an attractive destination for global capital seeking a clear and efficient legal environment.
Local News
10 million counterfeit products seized in Mecca, according to the 2025 trade report
The Ministry of Commerce report for Makkah 2025 reveals the seizure of 10 million counterfeit products and the implementation of 191,000 field visits, with the delivery of the annual report and efforts to support associations to the Deputy Governor of the region.
His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, received the annual report of the Ministry of Commerce branch in the region for the year 2025, during a meeting at the Governorate headquarters in Jeddah with the Director General of the Ministry's branch in the region, Khalil bin Ibrahim Makhsha. The report revealed record figures reflecting the extent of efforts made to protect consumers and enhance commercial compliance in the Holy City.
Record numbers in monitoring and controlling violations
The statistics in the report showed the success of the inspection teams in seizing more than 10 million products that violated regulations and standards. These seizures were the result of intensive field efforts, with the ministry's branches and offices in the region conducting more than 191,000 comprehensive field visits, including more than 9,600 detailed inspection visits targeting specific sectors to ensure their compliance with regulations.
Enhancing the business environment and protecting consumers in line with Vision 2030
These intensified campaigns are part of the National Strategy for Consumer Protection and Combating Commercial Fraud, a cornerstone of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. These efforts aim to create a fair and competitive business environment that guarantees the rights of both consumers and compliant merchants. These efforts are particularly important in the Makkah region due to its religious and geographical significance, as it receives millions of visitors, pilgrims, and Umrah performers annually, necessitating rigorous oversight to ensure the quality of goods and services provided to these guests of God.
Exceptional efforts during religious seasons
The report highlighted the high level of preparedness of the ministry branch during peak seasons, specifically the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages and the holy month of Ramadan. Operational plans focused on monitoring markets to ensure the availability of essential food and Ramadan-related goods, guaranteeing price stability, and ensuring that retailers complied with regulations. These proactive measures contributed to securing supply chains and meeting the increased demand during these spiritual seasons.
Supporting fisheries and social responsibility
The ministry's efforts were not limited to oversight; they extended to supporting vital sectors and social responsibility initiatives. The report highlighted efforts to support the fisheries sector by providing 200 distress devices, 35 boat engines, and six refrigerated trucks to ensure the safe transport of marine products.
In a humanitarian gesture that reinforces the concept of social solidarity and reduces food waste, the Ministry delivered approximately 100 tons of fruits and vegetables fit for consumption and confiscated from public benefit markets to 14 charitable associations, in addition to distributing 644 kilograms of fish and 11,000 kilograms of red meat to those in need, in accordance with the established regulatory mechanisms.
Digital transformation and serving the business sector
The Ministry of Commerce in the Makkah region has kept pace with technological advancements by providing over 65,000 electronic services to the business sector, streamlining procedures and saving time and effort for investors. The branch also served over 384,000 commercial registrations in the region, reflecting the significant economic activity and increasing growth in commercial activity in Makkah.
Local News
Al-Sawahah: The Digital Cooperation Organization supported the emergence of 16 billion-dollar companies
Minister of Communications Abdullah Al-Swaha reveals the Digital Cooperation Organization's contribution to the emergence of 16 billion-dollar companies, and reviews the Kingdom's achievements in space and artificial intelligence.
The Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Engineer Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha, affirmed that the Digital Cooperation Organization has become a pivotal player in shaping the features of the new global economy, revealing the growing impact of member countries that represent about 10% of the total world population and contribute approximately $3.6 trillion to the global economy, while achieving remarkable growth rates that exceed the global average, reflecting the success of the digital strategies adopted.
Rapid growth of billion-dollar companies
In his address to the Digital Cooperation Organization's General Assembly meeting in Riyadh, Al-Swaha explained that the enabling environment created by the organization's member states has directly contributed to the emergence of 16 billion-dollar companies (unicorns), in addition to numerous other successful entrepreneurial models. He noted that the organization's member states are now home to more than two million technology specialists, representing a vast human resource capable of leading the digital transformation.
The minister stressed the importance of strengthening joint international action to build an inclusive and sustainable digital future based on trust, empowering young talents, and harnessing advanced technologies, especially artificial intelligence, to serve humanity and drive economic development.
Praise for Kuwait's role and artificial intelligence initiatives
Al-Swaha praised Kuwait's leading role during its presidency of the organization, commending the significant initiatives launched, including efforts to combat disinformation and enhance the flow of reliable data across borders. He also highlighted the launch of the "Responsible Artificial Intelligence" framework, a strategic step towards strengthening the reliability of the global digital environment and ensuring the ethical and safe use of technology.
Saudi global achievements
In reviewing national achievements, Al-Swaha emphasized that Saudi Arabia has made significant strides in the digital economy, citing prominent scientific and research accomplishments. He highlighted the first Nobel Prize won by a researcher from the region for developing AI-based solutions in chemistry, underscoring the immense potential of future technologies in addressing complex scientific challenges.
The minister also touched on the historic achievement of the first Arab Muslim woman participating in a scientific mission to the International Space Station, where she contributed to conducting advanced medical research, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to empowering women in the science, space and technology sectors.
Investing in the infrastructure of the future
The Minister of Communications and Information Technology concluded his remarks by emphasizing the need to continue investing in advanced digital infrastructure and to strengthen international partnerships to support the growth of the digital economy in the smart era. He noted that achieving sustainable digital growth requires concerted efforts to serve humanity and ensure the prosperity of the global economy amidst rapid technological changes.
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