Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Tourism has approved a revised schedule of fines, introducing stringent penalties of up to 25,000 riyals for serious violations within the tourism sector. The most severe fines target offenses such as practicing tour guiding without a valid license, operating after a license has been suspended or revoked, and providing inaccurate or misleading information that could harm the country's reputation. This move aims to professionalize the sector and protect the nation's tourism interests.
The new regulations establish a tiered fine system, with penalties ranging from 500 to 2,000 riyals for lesser infractions like failing to update company information or not wearing appropriate attire for a tour. For more serious breaches, such as providing guide services in restricted military or border areas without permission, fines can range from 5,000 to 15,000 riyals. Tourism inspectors are now empowered to issue on-the-spot fines of up to 10,000 riyals for violations they witness.
The framework also includes a strict policy for repeat offenders. Violations committed within one year of a previous offense are considered repeated and can lead to doubled fines, extended license suspensions of up to one year, and even permanent license revocation for a fourth offense. A dedicated Violation Review Committee is responsible for adjudicating cases and can impose additional daily fines for continuous non-compliance, ensuring robust enforcement of the new rules.
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