The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) announced Wednesday that it was inviting applications for new or renewal of licenses from the country's existing tour and travel agencies. Engr. Ahmed Al-Essa, Director General of Licensing and Quality Department said the GCTA will be the sole tourism entity responsible for supervising the activities of tour and travel agencies in the Kingdom. “Starting from Wednesday the (SCTA) has been assigned to issue new licenses to the potential new investors in the tourism sector or renew the licenses of the existing tour and travel agencies,” he said. Quoting Saudi Cabinet Resolution No. 79 dated Rabi Al-Awwal, 16, 1429 AH issuing of licenses to potential investors or renewal of licenses of existing tour and travel agencies will be the first step toward transferring of supervision to SCTA from General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). “This step is the first phase of transferring the supervision of tourism sector under which the Council of Ministers granted authority to SCTA of issuing approvals for the operation of tour and travel agencies, training and creation of jobs for Saudis and other tourism-related activities,” he said. Al-Essa urged tour and travel agencies to renew their licenses with the SCTA and any failing in this regard could be considered as the breach of law. The erring agencies could be penalized and may face closure, he said. “We have already started receiving queries from the tour and travel agents about the new procedures of applying to SCTA,” he said. He said there are around 1,300 licensed tour and travel agencies required to apply for licenses under SCTA. He said SCTA will be the sole responsible entity for all tourism activities in the Kingdom. The new move will give impetus to the process of Saudization, as a big percentage of workforce in the tour and travel agencies comprises of expatriates. He said SCTA has launched a comprehensive training program for young Saudis to get trained and work in the tourism sector. He said the first batch of 350 Saudi graduates from training institutes already got jobs in 10 different kinds of tourism occupations including ticketing, reservation and sales among others. The procedure guide for new license or its renewal could be accessed through SCTA's website www.scta.gov.sa. Those interested could also contact 01-8808738 or submit applications for new license to Directorate General of Licensing and Quality at SCTA's headquarters, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh or Provincial Tourism Offices (PTOs) throughout Kingdom. __
