Tour Guiding Manual for Investors

2Tour Guiding Manual for Investors

Introduction

The Ministry of Tourism seeks the development and organization of the tourism industry in Saudi Arabia through the development of integrated tourism programs and activities, providing the tourist with all the elements required for a memorable trip. Such programs and activities are developed in line with international standards, guaranteeing high quality and unique tourism products and promoting tourism all over the Kingdom.

This Guide will help you dear investor in understanding the process for issuing licenses through the electronic platform provided by the Ministry of Tourism. Investors may obtain instant licenses for tour guiding once all licensing requirements are provided and all undertakings are approved.

This Guide provides illustrative instructions on how to use the electronic licensing system, facilitating access to all services and information provided.

3Tour Guiding Manual for Investors

Tour Guide:

Any natural person Licensed to practice tour-guiding services and accompany tourists at tourist attractions in the Kingdom, and provide them with information relating to such attractions, for a fee.

Tour Operator:Any Licensee who organizes, promotes or sells tourist trips and pro-grams within the Kingdom or abroad to the public for a fee, provided that he provide two or more of the services stated in the law and the regulations.

Licensing Requirements• The applicant shall be a Saudi national – male or female – not less

than (21) twenty-one years old at the time applying.

• The applicant shall be medically fit and free from diseases and disabilities that might prevent him from performing his work as a Tour Guide.

• The applicant shall pass all exams, interviews, training and qualifi-cation courses for Tour Guiding as per each category.

• The applicant shall not have been convicted of any crime imping-ing on honor or integrity, unless rehabilitated.

• The applicant shall master at least one foreign language – other than Arabic. If the applicant masters the English language, he shall submit STEP or TOFEL IBT or IELTS certificates with the following passing scores as minimum:

- STEP (75) - valid for three years from date of exam

- TOFEL IBT (53) - valid for two years from date of exam

- IELTS (5.5) - valid for two years from date of exam

4Tour Guiding Manual for Investors

Licensing Categories:

1. Site Guide2. Trail Guide for one or more provinces3. Specialized Guide

Note:- Sites, trails and specialties will be announced later on depending

on readiness and according to the Strategy.- The applicant may obtain more than one site, track and specialty

upon attending the training courses and qualification programs approved by the Ministry and provided by the Saudi Tour Guide Association.

• Phase One: Phase one started with 9 sites depending on readiness and according to the Strategy.1. Diriyah “Traif Historic Distrect”2. National Museum3. Al-Muraba Palace4. Al-Masmak Palace5. Mdaen Saleh6. Hail Rock Art7. Hostoric Jeddah8. Al-Hassa Oasis

• Phase Two:Sites, trails and specialties will be announced later on depending on readiness and according to the Strategy, they will be updated in the licensing portal for tourism practices and activities.

5Tour Guiding Manual for Investors

Investor’s Journey

Financial Fees

The Ministry of Tourism is keen on facilitating investments and simplifying instant licensing pro-cess for low-risk practices through the following steps:

Apply Online

1

Sign Undertakings

2

Select License Type &Submit Qualifications &

Training Courses

3

Pay Fees

4

Approve ApplicationMT Review and

Approval

5

Receive License

6

Practice Activity

Category Financial Fee

Site Guide 300 SRTrack Guide One/Multiple Provinces 400 SR per track

Licensing Term3 renewable years

6Tour Guiding Manual for Investors

Electronic System

This system is concerned with electronic licensing services provided by the Ministry of Tourism in order to facilitate services for investors. The services provided for tourism practices include the following:

Creating an AccountTo be able to apply and follow up your license application you need to create an account as follows:1. Click on (create an account) button on the Homepage.

2. Select from Saudi Citizen or Resident, GCC National, Non Resident

Canceling License

Updating License

Renewing License

Applying for License

4321

7Tour Guiding Manual for Investors

Creating an Account

You will be transferred to the New User Registration Page displaying all registration steps and the User Agreement.

3. Read and User Agreement and check the (I Agree) box and then click (Next)

4. You will be transferred to the Personal Information and Communication Data page, fill out the required fields and click (Next).

8Tour Guiding Manual for Investors

Creating an Account

5. You will be transferred to the Password Page, Your ID number will be used as your User Name. Enter your password twice and click (Next).

6. You will be transferred to the Mobile Authentication Page, enter the required data and click (Send). An activation text message shall be sent to your mobile number.

Logging InFrom the Homepage, click (Log In)

Enter the User Name (Your ID No.) and Password then check the box (I’m not a robot). You may check the box Remember Me so that the system would save your credentials, then click Enter

From the image above, click on Issued Licenses. The following screen will appear, click on Tour Guide Services:

9Tour Guiding Manual for Investors

Applying for a License

Select Tour Guide Services and click on License Application.The License Application page will appear.

You will be transferred to the Required Procedures page, check the I Agree box after you read the Terms & Conditions and click Next.

10Tour Guiding Manual for Investors

Applying for a License

The next step is the Sites and Activities page where you enter your personal information before moving to the Licensing Category: Site Guide, Track Guide, or Specialized Guide.

You will be transferred to the next step, which is the Training Courses. Select the Category and Course Title, insert Institute Name, Course Duration (days) and Date (day/month/year). In the Attachments box, select the file you want to upload from your device. The uploaded file shall be a maximum of one file size of 10 Mbit. in the following formats JPG, PNG, GIF, PDF. Click on Save.

The next step is the Languages and Qualifications page, where you will enter your Languages, Education and Experience in Tour Guiding.

11Tour Guiding Manual for Investors

You will be transferred to the next step, which is Attachments. In the Attachment step you will find two sections and they are: Attachment & Personal Photo. For the Attachment section select the file you want to upload from your device. The uploaded file shall be a maximum of one file size of 10 Mbit. in the following formats JPG, PNG, GIF, PDF. Click on Save. Move to the Personal Photo Section, select the photo you want to upload from your device, preferably 90x125. The uploaded file shall be a maximum of one file size of 5 Mbit. in the following formats JPG, PNG, GIF.

The last step is the Confirmation. On this page you can review your application and license before clicking on Confirmation. The application will then be submitted to the Ministry for approval and license issuance.

Applying for a License