Saudi Red Sea Authority issues beach operators’ regulations for first time to boost coastal tourism

Saudi Arabia has issued its first-ever regulatory framework governing beach operators, marking a significant step in activating beaches as economic enablers and supporting the development of sustainable coastal tourism along the Kingdom’s western coastline.

For the first time in the Kingdom, the Saudi Red Sea Authority has introduced Beach Operators’ Requirements and Conditions as part of its mandate to regulate coastal tourism activities and ensure the protection of the marine environment.

The newly issued requirements provide a comprehensive operational and regulatory framework for issuing beach operation licences.

They establish conditions related to security, safety, public health and environmental protection, introducing a new phase governed by high-quality standards aligned with international best practices and experiences.

The framework is designed to deliver an optimal beach experience for visitors while enhancing service quality, improving safety standards, strengthening beach sustainability and protecting the marine environment over the long term.

It also serves as an official reference for operators seeking to develop or operate beaches in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi beach rules

The requirements cover beach design, development and construction in line with the Saudi Building Code, ensuring compliance with architectural and structural standards.

They also include accessibility requirements for persons with disabilities and mandate adherence to security, safety and environmental systems.

Beach operators must comply with the highest quality standards and specifications consistent with the Blue Flag eco-label for beaches, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s commitment to environmental sustainability and global benchmarks.

The framework sets out the licensing process for beach operation, which includes requirements such as:

• A valid commercial registration
• An environmental operating permit
• Marine zoning and planning approval
• A beach safety plan
• An assessment of the beach’s carrying capacity

Operators are required to meet strict security, safety and public health obligations.

These include separating swimming areas from other marine activities, providing essential safety and rescue equipment, installing clear signage and ensuring the availability of trained lifeguards.

Environmental requirements include preventing pollutant discharge, implementing effective waste management, using environmentally friendly materials, activating environmental monitoring mechanisms and immediately reporting any environmental incident to preserve ecological balance.

Implementation timeline

The Beach Operators’ Requirements and Conditions will enter into force one month from the date of announcement.

Existing beach operators will be granted a one-year grace period to rectify their status in accordance with the approved regulatory, technical and environmental requirements.

The move underscores the Saudi Red Sea Authority’s role as the regulator of coastal tourism activities and supports the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, including economic diversification, the development of coastal destinations and the attraction of investment into the tourism sector.