By ANWAR AL-SAYED | ARAB NEWS
MAKKAH: The new tourism law is in its final stage and could be passed this year, according to the chairman of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA).
“It is now being discussed at the Shoura Council,” Prince Sultan bin Salman said.
Speaking to reporters after opening a SCTA office for licensing and investment in Makkah, Prince Sultan said all hotels in the Kingdom would be classified on the basis of international standards.
He said the commission would not allow any foul play in the issuing of hotel licenses, adding that it would be given only to those hotels that fulfill all necessary conditions, especially safety.
“We have given all hotels enough time to correct their situations to obtain licenses,” he said.
He said the commission had signed 72 partnership agreements with government departments and the private sector.
“We have made a proposal to set up professional associations in the hospitality and tourism sectors,” Prince Sultan said, adding that these societies would work as principal partners of the state.
He said the commission has discussed the pricing of hotel rooms and furnished apartments with the minister of commerce and industry, investors and the hospitality committee.
“We are now in the process of taking a decision in this matter,” he said.
The government had earlier issued a law for pricing. The prince added that this law should be considered when fixing the prices for hotel services.
Muhammad Al-Amri, executive director of the Tourism Development Department in Makkah, said the new licensing office, the second in the country after the one in Riyadh, was established to provide the best possible services to investors.
He said the Makkah branch would issue licenses for hotels, furnished apartments, resorts, tourism villages, travel and tourism agencies and tourist guides.
He said the new office is located in a strategic place in order for the public to have easy access. “We want to ensure quality in all our activities,” he said.
Abdullah Al-Sawat, director of the Makkah office, said the office is manned by qualified Saudis and provided with advanced facilities.
“There are eight Saudis in the office. They have received good training to provide excellent services,” he said.
Al-Sawat added that the office would use Bluetooth technology to transfer information required by the public. There is also a toll-free number, 8007550000, which can be used to obtain tourism-related information.
Arab News
