The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) has authorized its branches to issue operation licenses and classification certificates and to determine the local prices of tourism activity across the Kingdom in an effort to decentralize operations and shift authority to provincial branches.

Ahmed Al-Esa, SCTA’s assistant vice-president for licensing, announced that, “Prince Sultan bin Salman, the commission’s president, recently authorized the SCTA’s branch offices throughout the Kingdom to issue and approve operation licenses and classification certificates for various tourism activities and professions that are functioning under the authority of the SCTA. He has also allowed the branches to determine the local prices of accommodation facilities without seeking approval from the headquarters in Riyadh.”

“This resolution falls under a plan that began two years ago aimed at shifting authority to the SCTA’s branches and strengthening ties with its partners in the public and private sectors,” he added.

Al-Esa referred to Prince Sultan’s determination to decentralize authority within the SCTA and his belief that the Kingdom’s tourism sector thrives from within its provinces.

The resolution was put into effect last week.

The commission earlier launched the Saudi Convention and Exhibition Forum, where it highlighted the importance of obtaining an approved certification for engaging in the convention and exhibition sector and acquiring vocational certificates for developing the capabilities of employees.

The Saudi Conventions and Exhibitions Forum, an SCTA initiative, aims to discuss the potential and future growth of the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry in the Kingdom. The convention and exhibition industry plays an important role in highlighting the Kingdom’s cultural standing.