Tourism in the Kingdom

Tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the pillars supporting the national economy, achieving Saudi Vision 2030. It contributes to diversifying the Kingdom's economy, attracting investments, increasing income sources, and providing employment opportunities.

The tourism sector in the Kingdom operates within a unified system that includes three government entities working collaboratively to enhance and elevate the tourism system's efficiency. These entities are the Ministry of Tourism, responsible for establishing regulations and legislation for the tourism sector; the Saudi Tourism Development Fund, responsible for supporting investment, developing tourist areas in the Kingdom, and funding facilities operating in the tourism sector; and the Saudi Tourism Authority, the entity regulating and marketing tourism products, and responsible for enriching the tourist experience by enhancing the level of tourism services in the Kingdom.

Tourism investment in the Kingdom has witnessed significant growth with the expansion of various projects. Investments, amounting to USD810 billion, have been injected into tourism projects to contribute to transforming the Kingdom into one of the world's leisure tourism destinations by 2030. The projects developed by the Public Investment Fund cover an expansive area exceeding 64,634 km². These aspirations contribute significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) amid the rapid growth of the tourism sector in the Kingdom. In 2022, the tourism sector contributed 5.3 percent to the GDP, creating around 836,000 new job opportunities. The expected number of visits is projected to reach sixty-two million, with 32.5 million from within the Kingdom and 29.5 million from abroad. With these figures, it is anticipated that the Kingdom will rank twenty-fourth globally in terms of the tourism business environment, 124th in international openness to tourism, and sixtieth in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index.

The Kingdom has set several targets for the development of the tourism sector. According to the National Tourism Development Strategy launched in 2019, the Kingdom aims to receive one hundred million visitors annually from both domestic and international sources by 2030, positioning itself among the world's top tourist destinations. Additionally, the strategy targets increasing the direct contribution of the tourism sector to the GDP from 3 percent to 10 percent and aims to increase the number of jobs in the sector to reach sixteen million by 2030.

To support the tourism sector, the Council of Ministers approved the Tourism Law in the Kingdom in 2022. This law is part of the regulatory and legislative framework improvements and developments for the tourism sector, continuing the journey of its development to contribute to the growth of domestic tourism and attract investments to this sector.‏

The law included several articles related to licensing activities, their classifications, standards, requirements, and monitoring, while also ensuring sufficient flexibility for the tourism sector, given its rapid development and integration with modern technologies through a new tool: experimental tourism activity permits. These permits aim to create a conducive tourism environment for all emerging activities within the sector. Tourism is among the sectors in the Kingdom that have utilized this type of regulatory tool.

In 2019, the Ministry of Tourism launched eleven tourism seasons in various provinces of the Kingdom, including the Riyadh Season, Jeddah Season, Eastern Province Season, al-Ula Season, Diriyah Season, Hail Season, Taif Season, National Day Season, as well as Ramadan Season, Eid al-Fitr Season, and Eid al-Adha Season. The Saudi Tourism Authority launched the Saudi Winter Season 2020-2021 (Winter Is Around You) and the Summer of Saudi Season (Breathing) in 2020.

After the reasons for entering the Kingdom were initially limited to specific purposes such as Hajj, Umrah, work, visitation, diplomatic missions, medical treatment, and education, the Kingdom has strengthened its tourism sector to play a vital role and become a focal point in Saudi Vision 2030. This evolution is manifested in achieving the three pillars of the vision: a vibrant society, by promoting the Kingdom as an attractive destination for thirty-seven million religious visitors; an ambitious nation, by boosting non-oil government revenues and employing tourism as a supportive sector for national income; in addition to the third pillar: a thriving economy, by contributing to development by about 15 percent of the GDP.

The electronic tourist visa is considered one of the key developments that have propelled the tourism sector forward, as the state launched it in 2019, initially targeting citizens from forty-nine countries. These forty-ninth countries encompass approximately 80 percent of global tourist spending and include 75 percent of high-end international travelers. The Kingdom aims to attract one hundred million annual visits by 2030 as part of its strategic plan.

On August 6, 2023, the Ministry of Tourism took a new step by electronically granting visit visas to eight additional countries. Also, on October 17, 2023, the Ministry of Tourism made visit visas available electronically to citizens of six other countries, bringing the total number of countries to sixty-three.

In addition to citizens from sixty-three countries, the tourist visa is available for seven other categories, including residents of the United States, the United Kingdom, or European Union countries, holders of American and British visit visas, holders of Schengen visas, and all residents of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The tourist visa allows holders to visit the Kingdom for tourism or Umrah purposes outside the Hajj season, visit family and friends, and attend events, exhibitions, and conferences. Additionally, the Kingdom also grants a transit visa for travelers through Saudia and Flynas, allowing a stay of up to ninety-six hours in the Kingdom before completing their journey to their final destination.

Amidst the Kingdom's transformation into a global tourist destination, the Saudi Tourism Authority launched 'Visit Saudi', a digital platform that organizes and promotes tours and entertainment experiences throughout the Kingdom. It serves as the official guide for Saudi tourism, providing content that keeps pace with developments and can be translated into seven international languages besides Arabic, namely: English, German, French, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish.

The digital tourism strategy was announced on January 31, 2022, during the "LEAP" global tech conference. It represents a strategy for the development of local tourism in the Kingdom and is one of the enablers of the tourism sector to achieve the Saudi Vision 2030.

The digital tourism strategy in the Kingdom aims to achieve a seamless tourist experience, support the tourism sector in the Kingdom, and focus on adopting digital business models that help increase demand for tourism services. It includes new models for innovative regulations for organizing smart hotels and flexible methods for digital travel procedures for tourists, businessmen, and government agency employees.

The new models include establishing startups in the tourism sector and leveraging artificial intelligence and data technologies to attract investors, enhance the readiness of tourist destinations, and uncover available investment opportunities.

The digital tourism strategy works on developing a flexible and efficient system that supports digital transformation in the tourism sector and facilitates the adoption of an innovation culture. The strategy accommodates the needs of the tourism ecosystem.

The Ministry of Tourism, in coordination with the Digital Government Authority and the Digital Transformation Unit, has developed a global index for digital tourism to benchmark competition within the global tourism sector. A team of twenty-two international experts in digital transformation and the tourism field participated in preparing the index.

The strategy comprises nine programs, in addition to thirty-one initiatives to be completed by 2025, aimed at creating an enhanced work environment benefiting the tourism ecosystem in the Kingdom. The programs and initiatives of the strategy provide a platform to meet the needs of the tourism sector, ensuring customer satisfaction with services to enhance decision-making effectiveness and leverage available data to provide opportunities for investors.

The strategy focuses on several pillars that contribute to supporting the tourism sector in the Kingdom, including: simplifying travel procedures and facilitating business practices by launching a unified platform to connect tourism service providers and their applications, and creating an interactive environment that allows for the experience of new digital tourism solutions.

The strategy also focuses on the digital travel axis, supporting extended reality applications for tourism, such as virtual and augmented reality. It encourages sustainability by rewarding tourists for environmentally friendly practices, in addition to informed decision-making, such as building solutions that enable data collection and providing necessary analytics for the tourism sector. Digital workforce represents one of the pillars of the digital tourism strategy to cultivate a generation of entrepreneurs in the tourism field, alongside the axis of attracting investors by building a network of investors in the tourism sector and attracting them through platforms.

The Ministry of Tourism launched the strategy for developing human capabilities in the tourism sector on October 27, 2020, under the slogan "Ahlaha" (Its People). The strategy aims to achieve the targets of the National Tourism Strategy by providing one million jobs by the year 2030.

The strategy represents an important step aimed at developing human capital in the tourism sector, with the goal of making the Kingdom a prosperous and attractive environment for tourists by creating sustainable job opportunities for male and female citizens and achieving key targets, including: job localization in the tourism sector, attracting qualified national talents to fill these positions, creating job opportunities for citizens through the qualification of local competencies, developing national skills, empowering local innovative ideas and existing projects, as well as raising societal awareness about employment opportunities in the tourism field.

The strategy aims to keep pace with the growth of the tourism sector since the launch of the tourist visa in September 2019. By 2030, the tourism job market is expected to accommodate nearly one million positions requiring high-quality educational, training, and developmental qualifications. The "Ahlaha" strategy includes twenty programs, of which fifteen are educational, qualification, and developmental programs. These applied educational and development programs target students, job seekers, employees in the tourism sector, tourism administrators, individuals wishing to change their career paths, specialists, entrepreneurs, and tourism facilities.

Infrastructure is defined as the material components of interconnected systems that provide essential goods and services to enable or sustain the quality of life and preserve the surrounding environment. It encompasses locations that offer developmental services that enhance the quality of national tourism or facilities and systems supporting tourism as one of the economic pillars of the state.

Its key components are distinguished across the thirteen administrative provinces in the Kingdom, with its major cities. The tourism sector is positioned to become one of the primary sources for the diversified economy in the Kingdom. The Kingdom has established the necessary infrastructure for a sector capable of achieving high revenues in the future, aiming to be a destination for tourists from around the world.

Al-Masmak Fortress in the city of Riyadh. (SPA)

Riyadh is known as a modern city with a distinctive cultural heritage and contemporary architectural styles. However, it is also home to several historical and cultural heritage sites and villages, such as Al Masmak Palace, Ushaiqer Heritage Village, and Al Murabba Historical Palace.

One of the tourist landmarks there is the Historical Diriyah and Turayf District, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Additionally, Riyadh Province hosts numerous festivals and tourist events during holiday seasons.

One of the alleys in Historic Jeddah. (Saudipedia)

Jeddah City is distinguished as a city with multiple coastal sites, featuring the largest port overlooking the Red Sea. It is an area rich in coral reefs and serves as a central commercial hub in the region, acting as the gateway to Makkah al-Mukarramah. Additionally, Jeddah includes a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, which is the Historic Jeddah City.

Among the key components of the tourism infrastructure in Makkah al-Mukarramah Province are six football stadiums, one of which is an international stadium. The total number of museums in there is thirty-one, including thirteen public museums and eighteen private museums. Additionally, the province stands out from other areas in the Kingdom with three historical palaces: the Royal Palace in al-Maabdah, the King Faisal Palace, and the Zaher Palace, along with a car racing circuit.

Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah is characterized as a city with religious landmarks, as it hosts the Prophet's Mosque. It is home to a number of historic mosques, such as the Quba Mosque, the Qiblatain Mosque, al-Ghamama Mosque, and the Seven Mosques. In addition to numerous historical battle sites and heritage tourist landmarks, the area is known for its terrain, especially in the surrounding mountains.

Among the main components of the tourism infrastructure in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah Province are the Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Sports City and eighteen museums, including seven public and eleven private museums. It also features a heritage site listed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2008: Mada'in Salih or Hegra Archaeological Site.

Dammam is known as a city of industry, beaches, and fishing. Consequently, it serves as a hub for pearl trading and fishing. It also provides space for coastal sports cities and is a destination for enthusiasts of handicrafts and shipbuilding. Dammam is culturally vibrant, hosting various festivals. It is a center for oil production and chemical industries.

As part of the key components of the main tourist infrastructure in the Eastern Province, there are several sports facilities, including Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam, Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium in al-Rakah, and Prince Nayef Bin Abdulaziz Stadium. Additionally, there are three historical sites: Ibrahim Palace, Tarout Castle, and the Old Town. The total number of museums in the region is thirty-nine, including twelve public museums and twenty-seven private museums. Furthermore, there is a karting skill track representing a sports racing circuit in the area.

Tabuk is known as the province of the sea and coral reefs, characterized by diverse sea beaches and snow-covered mountains in winter. It is a site for coral reefs, and it is renowned for its natural reserves and folk heritage. Tabuk boasts thirteen museums, constituting the tourist infrastructure, including six public museums and seven private museums. The province is expected to undergo a cultural shift through projects aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, such as NEOM, the Red Sea, and Amaala initiatives under the Public Investment Fund.

Qassim stands out for its rich history, diverse agriculture, and expansive areas for off-road enthusiasts, involving dune bashing. The Buraydah Date Festival, organized by the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture in partnership with the National Center for Palms and Dates, is one of the economic events. Annually, it hosts the Buraydah Festival for Kleicha and popular products. The region has a total of twenty-five museums, including two public museums and twenty-three private museums

Hail is renowned for its diverse nature and cool weather. Equestrian culture and Arabian horse competitions are popular in Hail. The city hosts the annual Desert and Summer Festival, as well as the Hail International Rally. It is also a hub for traditional arts, songs, and poetry, including Samri Hail.

Among the components of the main tourist infrastructure in Hail Province are three historical sites, including an archeological city. The province includes eleven museums, comprising one public museum and ten private museums. One of the sites is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, namely the Rock Art of Jubbah and Shuwaymis.

Najran City is characterized as a city of heritage, nature, and handicrafts. It stands out for its nature, biodiversity, history, heritage, traditional industries, folklore, traditional dances, sports centers, natural gardens, wells, and underground water. The components of the tourist infrastructure in Najran Province are represented by the archaeological landmarks, such as the historic Emirate Palace, and three museums, including one public and two private museums. Additionally, Hima Cultural Area was registered on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2021.

A picture from the highlands of Aseer Province. (SPA)

Abha is described as a city with cold weather and green mountains. It is one of the cities where natural and economic elements come together in its tourism program. The city includes landmarks, palaces, ancient markets, as well as modern commercial centers. Due to its mountainous environment, Abha offers diverse activities such as mountain climbing, mountain biking, and paragliding. The city hosts cultural and folk festivals. A key component of the infrastructure in Aseer Province includes the Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, wildlife reserves like Aseer National Park, various amusement parks such as al-Salam Park, Abha Palace Park, and fifty museums, including three public museums and forty-seven private museums, covering cultural and historical aspects.

The Northern Borders Province is characterized by its nature, making it a preferred tourist destination. It includes many valleys and plains, such as Ar'ar Valley, al-Owaisi Valley, and Badanah Valley, as well as hills and mountains like Kutayfah Mountain. The province is also known for its meadows.

The province includes several heritage sites, with the most notable being the historical King Abdulaziz Palace in the center of Linah, affiliated with Rafha Governorate. The palace has an approximate area of 4,320 m². In terms of heritage, the area includes three private museums and one public museum.

Al-Jawf Province is considered an important tourist destination in the Kingdom due to its rich historical and cultural heritage. Its traces date back thousands of years and it celebrates seasonal festivals and harvest festivals. The province hosts a collection of architectural marvels. Among them is the Omar Bin al-Khattab Mosque, considered one of the oldest mosques in the Kingdom. The province also includes the site of the Rajajil Columns, which features carved stones dating back over six thousand years. Additionally, there are more than fifty tombs and ten graves. The area is close to megaprojects, such as NEOM City and al-Ula.

Al-Jawf also boasts environmental tourism, with the King Salman Natural Reserve serving as an ideal base for eco-tourism. Lake Dawmat al-Jandal serves as an exemplary location for water sports activities and leisure resorts, capitalizing on its sulfur content for medical tourism.

The province includes several tourist landmarks, such as Za'bal Castle in Sikaka and the oldest human settlements in the village of al-Shuwayhatiyah. Al-Jawf also includes al-Dar' District or al-Dil' District, which dates back around two hundred years with its stone buildings and narrow alleys, as well as some historical forts, such as the Mared Fortress in Dawmat al-Jandal.

Jazan City offers diverse natural elements, including the seas, islands, mountains, plains, hot springs, seasonal fruit festivals, sports events, and adventure activities. Among the main components of the infrastructure in Jazan Province are nine natural and cultural museums, including one public and eight private museums, as well as tourist locations, such as the Heritage Village, the Southern Corniche, Marjan Island Park, Farasan Island, and Wadi Lajb.

Al-Bahah Province enjoys natural landscapes and historical landmarks. These include its ancient caves in Jabal Shada, Jabal Dhi Ain al-Rakhami, and Wadi Jidr. Al-Bahah witnesses a high demand in specific sectors such as hotel services, hospitality, restaurants, cafes, and recreational facilities, where outdoor activities, adventures, and excursions can be pursued in numerous areas. This includes Raghadan Forest Park and Khirah Forest, known for their dense forests, stunning mountain views, and moderate weather.

The tourism infrastructure in al-Bahah Province encompasses a regional museum, six private museums, and several heritage sites. These include the Dhi Ain Village in Qilwah Governorate, situated atop a rugged white rocky mountain with commanding views of Wadi Rash to the west. Another prominent site is the Bin Raqoush Palace in the Bani Sar village, north of al-Bahah City, situated on a hill that houses a collection of heritage buildings. It is a heritage village. The palace is a tourist and historical landmark in the province.

Aerial view of the popular market in al-Janadriyah. (SPA)

Saudi tourism takes various forms, including cultural tourism, historical tourism, entertainment tourism, sports tourism, business tourism, and more. Across the Kingdom, numerous events and festivals attract both domestic and international tourists. Some notable examples are the National Heritage and Culture Festival (al-Janadriyah), King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, Riyadh Shopping, Entertainment Festival, MDLBEAST Festival, Diriyah Equestrian Festival, King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival, and Taif Rose Festival in Taif, and the historical Jeddah festival in Makkah al-Mukarramah Province, in addition to the tourist Harid festival in Jazan Province, the olive festival in al-Jawf Province, the lights of the city festival in al-Madinah al-Munawwarah, the International Honey Festival in al-Bahah Province, In addition to a variety of entertainment seasons such as Riyadh Season, Jeddah Season, Eastern Province Season, al-Ula Season, Diriyah Season, Hail Season, and Taif Season, as well as the National Day Season, Ramadan Season, Eid al-Fitr Season, and Eid al-Adha Season. Similarly, the Saudi Winter Season (Winter is Around You) and the Saudi Summer Season (Tanaffas) were both launched by the Saudi Tourism Authority as part of the official tourism program 'Visit Saudi'.

Medical and wellness tourism is considered one of the promising tourism projects in the Kingdom within the framework of the Red Sea Development project. The project aims to establish an entirely new concept of luxury tourism focused on well-being, health, and therapy. Given that the project area is a natural extension of the moderate climate of the Mediterranean, it has been described as the Middle East's Riviera. The 'Amaala' project was announced in 2018, with an expected readiness by 2028. It encompasses key destinations: 'Triple Bay,' 'The Coastal Development,' and 'The Island.' The project is being developed to become a tourist destination within the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve in the northwest of the Kingdom. With an expansive area of 4,155 km², it offers over nine hundred residential villas and three thousand hotel rooms, targeting more than five hundred thousand annual visitors. The 'Equinox Resort Amaala' resort is a part of the 'Marina' village, and its services focus on a healthy, sporty, and fitness lifestyle. The resort consists of 128 rooms, two of which are luxurious penthouse suites.

The tourist visa is an entry visa to the Kingdom designed for tourists. It was launched on September 27, 2019, allowing the holder to stay in the Kingdom for a maximum of 180 days. There are two types of visas: a single-entry visa with a validity of three months and a stay duration of thirty days, and a multiple-entry visa with a one-year validity and a stay duration of three months.

The list of the forty-nine included in the first phase of obtaining Saudi tourist visas through the website or upon arrival in the Kingdom includes thirty-eight European countries: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ireland, Monaco, Andorra, Russia, Montenegro, San Marino, Ukraine, England, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Cyprus. Additionally, there are seven Asian countries: Brunei, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Kazakhstan, and China. From North America: the United States and Canada. From Australia: Australia and New Zealand.

The list of the eight countries whose citizens were allowed to apply for visit visas electronically on August 6, 2023, includes: Azerbaijan, Albania, Uzbekistan, South Africa, Georgia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Maldives.

Additionally, the list of six countries that announced the availability of an electronic visit visa for their citizens on October 17, 2023, includes: Turkey, Thailand, Panama, St. Kitts and Nevis, Seychelles, and Mauritius.

The system allows for extending the validity of the visa for six months after the expiration date of their passports. Citizens of countries that have bilateral agreements with the Kingdom can apply for a visit visa electronically, upon arrival, or issue it from the consulate. These countries include the United States, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and Japan.

Obtaining a tourist visa requires several documents, including proof of accommodation, return ticket, employment verification, and bank statement, in addition to identification, residence address, and an itinerary. The visa is issued through three methods: electronically (eVisa) via the Electronic Visa Portal, taking five to thirty minutes, knowing that this method is dedicated to tourists from the specified forty-nine countries. Travelers from other countries can obtain it by visiting Saudi representatives in their countries. Visa holders of the US, UK, or Schengen visas can get a visa upon arrival in the Kingdom, provided that it is valid, tourist or commercial, used previously, bears the issuing country's visa stamp, and the travel is with Saudia. The third method is through Saudi embassies and consulates abroad, available for tourists from all countries.

As for the financial fees, the cost of the tourist visa is SAR440 (USD117), including SAR300 for the basic fees and SAR140 for medical insurance, excluding Value Added Tax (VAT). These fees are non-refundable in case the visa application is rejected. Additionally, there are additional residence fees if the tourist stays beyond the specified duration, amounting to SAR100 for each additional day.

Life in the Kingdom is characterized by a set of values that have formed cultural richness, contributing to shaping its unique identity. One of the ways to gain respect, and appreciation, and enjoy a harmonious tourist experience is to familiarize oneself with the general etiquette and local customs of the place. In the Kingdom, clothing is considered the first thing to take into account. It is recommended to wear loose-fitting attire that covers the elbows and reaches the ankles for both men and women in public places. According to Saudi traditions, appropriate beach attire must be modest, covering most parts of the body. Prayer is one of the daily scenes that any tourist may witness. If passing by, one should avoid causing chaos and engaging in disorderly behavior, such as speaking loudly or playing music and songs unless in designated areas during non-prayer times. If near them during prayer time, it is advisable to act naturally. Photography can be a sensitive issue for some, as Saudis are protective of their privacy, especially women. Although mobile photography is generally less intrusive than using a camera, it is advisable to ask for permission if they partially appear in the photos.

The Ministry of Tourism has emphasized the awareness of the rights and duties of tourists based on its commitment to tourism. It has also worked on protecting and enhancing the confidence of the beneficiaries of tourism services by making them aware of their full rights and ensuring that they receive services equivalent to the financial compensation paid to service providers. Tourists enjoy a set of general rights, such as being treated with courtesy and hospitality. Tourism service providers are not allowed to refuse service without a legally acceptable reason or impose additional fees beyond the prices approved by the Ministry of Tourism. The service provider is responsible for informing the consumer about the specific timeframe after which they are unable to cancel or alter the reservation. Service providers are also obligated, particularly when offering high-risk activities or operating in crowded areas, to have third-party cooperative insurance. Additionally, they must provide essential services for people with special needs according to the standards set by the ministry.

Travel agencies must verify the accuracy and clarity of the information provided by the booking owner when delivering their services. Travel and tourism agencies commit to refunding amounts resulting from the refund of any tickets or the cost of any tourist programs or similar services. They also commit to informing the tourists of the terms related to the services provided to them after the sale, both verbally and in writing. They are not allowed to accept any financial amounts to obligate attendance at a marketing presentation. These agencies provide sealed receipts for the services provided to the tourist. Licensed tourist guides should not lead a group of more than twenty-five individuals, and if there is transportation, the number should not exceed its capacity. Tourist guides are not allowed to drive the transportation during guidance. Tourists have the right to obtain necessary tourist information and explanations approved by tourist information centers. They also have the right to information related to the history of the Kingdom approved by the King Abdulaziz Foundation. In case of any violation of their rights, tourists have the right to file a complaint with the Ministry of Tourism, either electronically through the ministry's channels or through the ministry's branches or the Saudi Association for Travel and Tourism.

Tourist accommodation facilities are obligated to provide tourists with all necessary details, starting from information about the services offered and providing them in both Arabic and English. They should receive the guest, reserve the unit if a required guarantee is presented, and register customer data and the services to be provided while adhering to regulations and instructions related to security, safety, first aid, and evacuation. Tourists should be covered by a valid insurance document for the entire duration of the license and for one month after its expiration against all risks resulting from the trip. Accommodation providers must adhere to the program presented for the trip, and if any changes occur, tourists have the right to obtain alternative services or a full refund of the amounts paid. In the case of a confirmed reservation and the absence of a vacancy in the unit, the service provider must offer an alternative unit of the same level without imposing additional charges. Tourists have the right to enter the tourist facility from 2:00 PM on the day of arrival and check out by noon on the day of departure. In case of a delay in delivering the unit after 2:00 PM, the service provider must handle the consumer's luggage, secure a waiting area, provide service, and offer a meal. If the delay exceeds two hours, the provider must secure an alternative unit of the same level as the reserved unit and provide a discount equivalent to the waiting time. Tourists have the right to receive a booking document that serves as a contract, including service details and prices. They also have the right to cancel the reservation within twenty-four hours before the entry date or transfer the reservation to another person with the service provider's approval. If the facility is closed due to a malfunction or fire and an equivalent alternative accommodation is not provided, tourists have the right to a refund. Women have the right to stay without a male guardian according to the requirements of the tourist accommodation regulations. It is not allowed to specify a minimum number of nights for unit reservations or require consumers to book more than one service to obtain one. Charging for more than one night in case of the tourist's delay from the specified arrival date is not permissible. Booking offices for tourist accommodation units are required to inform tourists of the services provided after the sale and their financial compensation, either verbally or in writing. Accommodation services include informing the tourist of their responsibility to preserve the facility's components and respect the rights of others. In case of a violation of their commitment, the service provider has the right to cancel the accommodation contract.