Professionalism and Neutrality in Guidance
The regulation emphasized that the tourist guide is obligated to maintain professionalism and neutrality in providing services, ensuring that the tourist receives a reliable tourism experience free from any interests or personal gains that could affect the quality of service or the tourist’s choices during tours and tourism programs. The regulation also required tourist guides to thoroughly verify the accuracy of information provided to visitors, and not to provide them with any misleading or incorrect information, or information that could harm the Kingdom’s reputation or interests, in addition to adhering to ethics and good values while practicing the activity.
Licensing, Training, and Tourist Rights
The regulation stressed the necessity of carrying the license and displaying it throughout the service period, not allowing any other person to use it, and adhering to using the languages specified in the license. It also required enrollment in training and qualification programs approved by the Ministry of Tourism to enhance the efficiency of guides and develop their professional skills. Regarding protecting tourist rights, the regulation mandated maintaining the confidentiality and privacy of visitors’ information and not using or sharing it without their consent. It also required compliance with all security, health, and environmental instructions related to tourism activities, and taking necessary measures to ensure the safety of tourists during the implementation of programs and tours. The regulation also prohibited the tourist guide from driving a vehicle while practicing guidance activities, and required immediate reporting of any incident or event related to security or safety during service delivery, as well as educating tourists about the instructions and guidelines to be followed during tours and tourist visits.
Conditions for Obtaining and Renewing the License
The regulation stipulated that to obtain the license, the applicant must be of Saudi nationality, at least 18 years old, be medically fit to practice the activity, pass courses, tests, and interviews approved by the ministry, and not have been convicted of a crime involving honor or trust unless their reputation has been restored. The applicant was also required to complete the license application form and pay the prescribed financial fee. The regulation set the license duration at a maximum of three years, renewable, with the licensee required to submit a renewal application 60 days before the license expires, fulfill the specified requirements, and pay the prescribed fees. It also allowed for exemption from some license conditions in specific cases related to the needs of the tourism sector or the availability of specialized expertise and skills required by the market.
Oversight and Enhancing Professionalism
The regulation also confirmed that tourist guides are subject to inspection and oversight, with the application of statutory penalties against violators according to the approved violations and penalties schedule, thereby enhancing compliance and raising the quality of services provided to visitors and tourists in various tourism destinations in the Kingdom. These obligations come within a regulatory framework aimed at enhancing professionalism in the tourist guidance profession, raising the level of compliance, and ensuring the provision of a safe and reliable tourism experience that reflects the civilized image of the Kingdom and keeps pace with the rapid growth witnessed by the tourism sector.
