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The information systems are mainly concerned with collecting, storing, retrieving, updating, analyzing and outputting results. In this context, geographic information systems (GIS) are a prime example. This study aims at highlighting the importance of the planning and preparation phase of designing and implementing a specialized type of information systems that is ``Tourism Information System - TIS to support tourism activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It also proposes the procedures that should be followed and outlines the obstacles that might be encountered. This system can be applied to different areas in Saudi Arabia and can be linked with other similar systems, or be published, partly or as a whole, on the World Wide Web (WEB). The study is divided into two main sections. First, the main aspects of GIS, and the importance of tourism information are covered; and Second the principles of designing and implementing such a system, and its benefits and obstacles are discussed. The importance of the preparation and planning stages is emphasized through devising a proposed model for different phases. 

Keywords: GIS implementation, Tourist Information Systems in Saudi Arabia