The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) has taken a firm stand against owners of hotels and furnished apartments who have failed to comply with newly-announced regulations. Only a week ago it warned them that action would be taken against them if any violations were found. Now it has penalized owners of 257 establishments in the Makkah region found guilty of violating set tariffs since the beginning of the summer vacation. Jeddah had the highest number of violations at 112, Makkah 85 and Taif 60. The SCTA has specified that there should only be a 30 to 50 percent increase in tariffs in peak times. It is also mandatory for owners to prominently display prices and services offered by their establishments. This is the kind of quick and firm action that should warm the hearts of many local and international holidaymakers and visitors to the various resort cities and holy places for Umrah, especially at a time when there has been such an outcry over the cost of food and services. As we wrote in this space last week the SCTA is simply doing its job to protect the country's growing, multibillion riyal, domestic and international tourism industry. This is vital for this country seeking to diversify its economy away from its current dependence on oil. The Kingdom's tourism industry can consistently bring in massive amounts of revenue. The SCTA has been working hard restoring old villages and protecting valuable archeological sites in all parts of the country. Although some eyebrows may be raised, there should be proper development of sites with historical relevance, rather than any religious significance, such as Mountain Al-Noor and Hera Cave in Makkah. Plans to develop a cable-car system to Al-Noor must be welcomed. With the involvement of the authorities there can be greater control over numbers and proper guidance that praying at these sites is not advised. Although the SCTA says that no-one has yet complained of being conned by unscrupulous taxi drivers who take unsuspecting visitors to sites of no real importance, there is anecdotal evidence to suggest this does happen. Greater regulation would solve any such problem as well. We must again commend the SCTA for its quick actions and forward-thinking approach to an important sector of the Saudi economy. __
