The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) has taken action against 257 hotels and furnished apartments in the Makkah region found violating set tariffs since the beginning of the summer vacation. Jeddah housing units have the highest number of violations with 112, while 85 violations were registered in Makkah and 60 in Taif by the beginning of Ramadan. Muhammad Al-Amri, Director of the SCTA branch in Makkah region, said that the owners of 60 percent of these units have been penalized while the rest have been referred to other authorities for completion of procedures as their violations do not come under the jurisdiction of the SCTA. Al-Amri added that the field teams are working continuously to monitor and supervise the commission's plans in order to prevent the violation of the hotel and furnished apartments tariffs system. The system approved by the SCTA has specified an increase in charges during peak seasons at 30 to 50 percent depending on the type of housing. Violators of the system face penalties and monetary fines stipulated in the SCTA regulations. Earlier this week Saudi Gazette published a report detailing how owners of hotels and furnished apartments in Taif were ignoring SCTA rules on charges and services. It reported that there were no tariff lists at the entrances of these establishments and no promised services and facilities as were clearly spelt out in their brochures. To add to the customers' woes there was an overpriced tariff structure and charges for services not provided. __
