The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) has warned that it will impose hefty fines of up to SR10,000 and withdraw the licenses of hotels and furnished apartments violating pricing regulations during the spring season. A source also revealed that the SCTA was preparing a general regulation outlining the work of hotels and organizes the tourism sector. It would replace the current regulation governing hotels and furnished apartments. “The new regulation will be more flexible so as to respond to demand and supply in the hotels sector,” he said. The Kingdom is witnessing about 23 ongoing spring festivals across the Kingdom. They are providing 1,795 jobs, he said. Under the new regulation, classification of hotels will differ from one to another and from one region to another. The percentage increase has been specified for each facility. The SCTA move follows a stream of complaints from tourists about unjustifiable price increases. Tariq Khan, Acting Executive Director for the SCTA in Taif, said: “If the facility repeats the violation, its license will be withdrawn and a fine of SR10,000 would be imposed for violation of the new pricing policy.” Some violations were noticed in the tourist accommodation facilities during the mid-year vacation. The prices exceeded the percentage permitted during the season days from June 1 until the end of September and official holidays except the weekend vacations. Anyone who has a complaint on a price violation by an accommodation facility is urged to call the SCTA toll-free number (8007550000). An SCTA branch will follow up the complaint and work to restore the complainant's right. __
