The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTH) has warned that it will fine hotels which do not allow women who are not accompanied by a mahram (male guardian) to check in, Al-Watan daily reported. The commission reiterated its calls to hotels to comply with proper regulations governing providing accommodation to women and not requiring them to bring a mahram. There are situations where women should be allowed to check in without a mahram, whether women are Saudi or not. Women need to have an official ID and be over 18 years old. In certain situations, passports can act as residence permits. SCTH pertinent regulations stipulate that women who do not have an official ID but are accompanied by someone who does, should be allowed to check in. Moreover, a housemaid who is not on the sponsorship of the family that wants to check in should be allowed to stay with them in the hotel. Even if a woman does not have an official ID, she still should be allowed to stay with the family she is accompanying. Hotels have been warned also against disclosing the personal information of guests to others such as names, number of room, ID number, etc. The commission said it would impose hefty fines on any hotel that violates the regulations. It also stressed that it will dispatch inspectors to the hotels to monitor the level of compliance with these regulations.
