Saudi Gazette report DAMMAM — The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) has shut down two hotels and four furnished apartments in the Eastern Province for various violations. SCTA officials also discovered violations in 444 firms operating in the tourism and hospitality sector, Al-Hayat daily reported. Abdullatief Al-Bunyan, director general of the SCTA in the Eastern Province, said two hotels were closed down for operating without a license. Their licenses had been canceled several years ago, he said. The furnished apartments' violations include operating without adhering to the required terms and conditions. Al-Bunyan said SCTA inspectors discovered the violations committed by 444 hotels, furnished apartments, tourism and travel agencies, and tour operators. The SCTA served notices to 60 businesses that it would cancel their licenses if the violations were repeated. Fines ranging from SR1,000 to SR10,000 were slapped on 361 firms. He said the SCTA branch has approved a plan to inspect licenses, charges levied by the tourism and hospitality sector, as well as to deal with complaints from consumers. The SCTA approved the monitoring mechanism and procedures to ensure that the tourism and hospitality sector is providing better services and facilities to its clients. There are five inspection teams under the branch, he added.
