B2B Travel Portal for Travel Agencies in Saudi Arabia
Short answer: QuickOTA works with travel agencies in Saudi Arabia that do not have IATA accreditation. You search, hold and book flights in the free B2B Panel, and QuickOTA issues the ticket. To open an account you need your Commercial Registration (CR) or your Ministry of Tourism licence. There is no setup fee and no minimum wallet deposit, and you sell to your customers in riyals at your own price.
This page is for agency owners in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Taif and across the Kingdom who sell flights and want a partner to issue their tickets. It explains how the Ministry of Tourism licenses travel agencies and how QuickOTA fits a new or small agency.
Key takeaways
- QuickOTA does not require IATA accreditation. QuickOTA issues the ticket.
- To open a QuickOTA account, your CR or your Ministry of Tourism licence is enough.
- Selling travel tickets falls under the Ministry of Tourism's Travel and Tourism Agency licence class.
- B2B Panel access is free, with no setup fee and no minimum deposit.
- Flights are live today; hotels, tours, visas and group requests are coming soon.
Can Saudi agencies without IATA accreditation work with QuickOTA?
Yes. IATA accreditation lets an agency issue tickets in its own name and settle with airlines through BSP. QuickOTA works with agencies that do not have it. You book in the B2B Panel, pay from your prepaid wallet, and QuickOTA issues the e-ticket.
Accreditation brings fixed costs and obligations, such as financial checks, a financial guarantee and regular BSP settlement. Many new agencies prefer a ticketing partner while they build their customer base. You are responsible for meeting Saudi rules for selling travel, including holding the right Ministry of Tourism licence. Read Can a Non-IATA Travel Agency Issue Airline Tickets?.
How are travel agencies licensed in Saudi Arabia?
Travel and tourism services in Saudi Arabia need a licence from the Ministry of Tourism. The Ministry's Regulations of Travel and Tourism Services say the activity may not be practised without one. Applications go through the Tourism Activities Licensing Portal (TLG). There are four licence classes; selling air tickets falls under the Travel and Tourism Agency class.
| Licence class | What it covers (summary) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation Unit Reservation | Marketing and managing reservations at tourist accommodation |
| Organizing Tours | Arranging accommodation, guides, ground services, car rental, insurance, event bookings and domestic tour programmes |
| Travel and Tourism Agency | Selling travel tickets inside the Kingdom and abroad on behalf of transport companies, plus accommodation, insurance, tour programmes, visas for travel abroad and international driving licences |
| General Travel and Tourism Services | Everything above, plus inbound visas and tour programmes for visitors to the Kingdom, destination marketing and charter transport |
What you need to apply (Regulations, Article 5): - A valid Commercial Registration that includes the travel and tourism activity. - A valid municipal licence (Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, or the competent authority). For online-only providers in the first three classes, website authentication is enough. - Details of the applicant, the office and its representative, and proof of trademark rights if you use one. - A bank guarantee where your class requires one. According to the Ministry's service directory, the guarantee is SAR 800,000 for General Travel and Tourism Services and SAR 50,000 for Tour Operations, and is not required for the Travel and Tourism Agency class.
Fees and validity (Regulations, Fees Schedule and Articles 7 to 9):
| Travel and Tourism Agency class | 1 year | 2 years | 3 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licence issuance | SAR 10,000 | SAR 11,000 | SAR 12,000 |
| Licence renewal | SAR 1,000 | SAR 2,000 | SAR 3,000 |
- A licence is valid for up to three years and can be renewed. Apply for renewal within 60 days before it expires.
- Each branch office needs its own licence, in the same class as the head office.
- The Ministry enforces the rules: in July 2025 it closed ten unlicensed travel offices in Riyadh (Saudi Gazette).
Sources: Regulations of Travel and Tourism Services and the Travel and Tourism Services service directory, Ministry of Tourism.
Last checked: 3 November 2026. This is general information, not legal advice. Confirm the current classes, guarantee and fees on the TLG portal before you apply. Umrah services for pilgrims are regulated separately by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
To open a QuickOTA agency account, your CR or your Ministry of Tourism licence is enough. QuickOTA does not require IATA accreditation.
What do Saudi agencies need from a B2B flight platform?
Saudi agencies sell through strong seasons: summer holidays, Ramadan and Eid, school breaks and family visits by residents to their home countries. They need ticketing without IATA, quick quotes in riyals, a way to pay that keeps cash free for the season, and clear handling of changes when travel plans move.
| Need in Saudi Arabia | Why it matters | How QuickOTA handles it |
|---|---|---|
| Ticketing without IATA | Accreditation has fixed costs and obligations | QuickOTA issues the ticket |
| Quick quotes in SAR | Customers ask on WhatsApp and compare prices fast | Full cost, including the itemised service fee, shown before you book; you set your markup |
| Cash flow in peak season | Large deposits tie up money when demand is highest | Prepaid wallet, no minimum deposit; top up per booking |
| Changes and refunds | Family plans change | Request changes, cancellations and refunds from the panel and see the quote first; approved refunds go back to your wallet |
| Group travel | Families and groups travel together | Group requests are coming soon; book each traveller's flights in the panel today |
How does QuickOTA work for a Saudi agency?
A Saudi agency searches flights in the QuickOTA B2B Panel, checks the fare rules and service fee, holds the booking, pays from its prepaid wallet and downloads the e-ticket from its booking details. QuickOTA issues the ticket. The agency then charges its customer in riyals at its own price.
- Request agency access with your CR or Ministry of Tourism licence number.
- We review your request and ask for anything else we need, then open your panel.
- Search and compare fares. Approved agencies can search before their first top-up.
- Top up your wallet with the amount you need, online or by bank deposit. There is no minimum deposit.
- Book and ticket. QuickOTA issues the e-ticket. Sell at your price and handle after-sale requests from the panel.
Illustrative example (hypothetical numbers): an agency in Riyadh books a return flight for a resident visiting family abroad.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cost in the panel (fare + itemised service fee) | USD 400 |
| Agency price to customer | SAR 1,650 |
| Agency margin | Depends on your exchange rate and markup |
Check your margin with the markup calculator before you quote.
Payments in Saudi Arabia: what to know
Saudi customers commonly pay with mada debit cards, SADAD bill payments and sarie instant bank transfers. How your customers pay you is between you and your bank or payment provider.
Paying QuickOTA is separate: you top up your prepaid wallet online or by bank deposit, with no minimum amount. QuickOTA does not offer credit lines.
Your own Arabic booking website
When you are ready to sell online under your own brand, the QuickOTA white-label booking website supports Arabic with a right-to-left layout. It includes a page builder, blog and your own domain, and one login manages both your B2B Panel and your website. It is a monthly plan with optional modules; contact us for a quote.
Trade events in Saudi Arabia
- Hajj Conference & Exhibition 2026, Jeddah
- Saudi Travel Market 2027, Riyadh
- More dates: Events in Saudi Arabia
Checklist before you start selling flights in Saudi Arabia
- [ ] Your Commercial Registration includes the travel and tourism activity
- [ ] You hold, or are applying for, the Ministry of Tourism licence in the right class (Travel and Tourism Agency for ticket sales)
- [ ] Your office has its municipal licence, or your online service has website authentication
- [ ] You have a business bank account for wallet top-ups
- [ ] You have clear terms for customers on changes, cancellations and refunds
- [ ] You know your busiest routes, so you can test them in the panel
FAQs
Does QuickOTA accept Saudi travel agencies without IATA?
Yes. QuickOTA accepts Saudi travel agencies without IATA accreditation. You can apply with your Commercial Registration or your Ministry of Tourism licence. QuickOTA issues the ticket for your bookings.
Which Ministry of Tourism licence do I need to sell air tickets?
Selling travel tickets inside the Kingdom and abroad is part of the Travel and Tourism Agency class under the Ministry's Regulations of Travel and Tourism Services. The General Travel and Tourism Services class also includes it. Confirm on the TLG portal before you apply.
Does the Travel and Tourism Agency licence need a bank guarantee?
According to the Ministry's service directory, a bank guarantee is required for the General Travel and Tourism Services class (SAR 800,000) and the Tour Operations class (SAR 50,000), but not for the Travel and Tourism Agency class. Check the current requirement on the TLG portal.
Is there a fee to join QuickOTA or a minimum deposit?
No. B2B Panel access is free, there is no setup fee and there is no minimum wallet deposit. For each booking you pay the fare and an itemised service fee, both shown before you book.
Can I book Umrah packages on QuickOTA?
Not as packages. You can book flights for your travellers in the panel today. Umrah services for pilgrims are regulated by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Group requests are coming soon.
How long does the review take?
We reply within one business day. If we need more information about your agency, we contact you before opening your panel.