The Legal Framework for Sustainable Tourism Development in Hail Region: A Study in Light of the Saudi Laws and International Standards

Abstract

This paper presents a survey of the legal and regulatory structure of the tourism sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with a special focus on the Hail region as a pioneering model for development under “Saudi Vision 2030”. The study discusses the main national legislations such as the Saudi Tourism Law and the Law of Antiquities, Museums and Urban Heritage and compares them with the international standards set by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and UNESCO.
The findings obtained through a mixed-method approach, including descriptive, analytical, and comparative techniques, along with a detailed study of the World Heritage sites in Hail (Jubbah and Shuwaymis), suggest that the Kingdom has made great strides in promoting sustainable tourism. But there are still significant institutional and regulatory barriers to protecting cultural heritage, fostering community engagement and creating sustainable investment frameworks. The study ends with practical recommendations to improve the legal framework, aiming to find a balance between the conservation of cultural and environmental heritage and the promotion of economic growth in the Hail region.