المملكة: Tourism: 30 violations and fines worth 50,000 riyals on hospitality facilities in Mecca and Medina during the Hajj season.

The Ministry of Tourism announced the adoption of the rules for applying the schedule of violations and penalties to the activity of tourism hospitality facilities in Mecca and Medina during Hajj season, with the aim of raising the level of control and ensuring that tourist establishments adhere to the highest standards of quality and service for pilgrims and visitors.

The Ministry confirmed that the application of the new schedule of violations and penalties will be exclusively for the Hajj season in Mecca and Medina, as an exception to the general schedule of violations and penalties issued by Minister of Tourism Resolution No. (1275) dated 4/13/1447 AH.

The schedule of general violations applies to the items Not included in this table During the season. The Hajj season officially begins from the beginning of the month of Dhul-Qi’dah and ends in the middle of the month of Muharram, unless the competent authority issues other decisions, in confirmation of setting a clear time frame for oversight and inspection.

Penalties are graded according to the frequency of violations

The Ministry has established a strict mechanism to grade financial and non-financial penalties according to the frequency of violations and the time they occur. If the violation that occurred during the season is a repeat of a violation that occurred before the season, the minimum financial penalty specified in the table will be applied, and it will be doubled if it is less than the previous penalty. However, if the same violation is repeated during the same season, the financial penalty will be doubled immediately.

If a violation is committed after the same season that occurred during it, the minimum financial penalty will be doubled according to the number of repetitions. Non-financial penalties are also applied directly according to the new schedule, and are granted The competent committee has the right to temporarily close or suspend the license when the violation is repeated twice, and to cancel the license when it is repeated for the third time, taking into account the gradation of financial penalties to ensure justice and strict oversight.

Determining financial penalties according to the establishment’s classification and size

The Ministry has adopted an accurate system for classifying tourist establishments by category and size, with the aim of determining the value of financial penalties in a fair and transparent manner. The establishments were classified as follows: The first category includes five-star luxury or unlicensed hotels, including temporary inns during the Hajj season, the second category is four stars, the third category is three first-class stars, the fourth category is two stars or one-star economic, and the fifth category includes other unclassified tourist hospitality facilities.

The value of the fine varies according to the size of the establishment, as micro establishments are calculated at 25% of the penalty value, small establishments at 50%, and medium establishments at 50%. 75%, and 100% for large ones, ensuring that the size of the facility is taken into account in estimating the financial penalty.

Details of violations and financial fines

Violators are punished in the event of missing any of the licensing conditions or one of the facility’s classification criteria with a fine ranging between 1,000 and 10,000 riyals, and also if the inspector is prevented from performing his duties or does not cooperate with him, with a fine of 14,000-20,000 riyals. Riyals.

A similar fine is imposed on anyone who uses the Ministry’s name or logo in any advertisement or marketing activity without obtaining official approval, while a fine is imposed on establishments that do not respond to the Ministry around the clock, ranging between 3,000 and 10,000 Riyals.

A fine of 10,000 Riyals is imposed on anyone who does not adhere to the decisions and instructions issued by the Ministry, and a fine ranging from 2,000 and 5,000 riyals for establishments whose employees do not adhere to personal hygiene and good appearance.

A fine ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 riyals is applied to those who do not supervise all units or provide service without acceptable reasons, and a similar fine is imposed on those who allow smoking in public places inside the establishment without an official permit.

Violators are punished in the event of a low level of cleanliness or maintenance in the establishment with a fine. It ranges between 2,000 and 10,000 riyals, and a similar fine is imposed on anyone who does not verify the original proof of the guest’s identity or only relies on viewing the copy without registering it.

A fine ranging between 2,000 and 8,000 riyals applies to anyone who does not provide a means of communication with the responsible director or the Ministry’s channels, while a fine ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 riyals is applied to anyone who does not receive the guest or does not deal with him tactfully. And respect.

A fine ranging between 7,000 and 10,000 riyals will be imposed on anyone who refuses to provide the Ministry with any information or data upon request, or does not update the facility and licensee data in the electronic system.

A fine ranging between 5,000 and 30,000 riyals will be imposed on anyone who does not apply the technical standards for data when entering it into the National Tourism Monitoring Platform, while a fine ranging from 1,000 and 10,000 riyals for those who do not immediately report any incident related to security and safety.

Violators, if they do not provide an alternative unit for the guest or do not return the amounts paid when the service is interrupted, will be punished with a fine ranging between 10,000 and 20,000 riyals. A fine of 8,000 riyals is imposed for missing one of the licensing standards for one item, and a fine of 6,000 riyals is applied for missing one of the operating standards. A similar fine is imposed on carrying out any media activities without permits, while a large fine of 50,000 riyals is imposed on contracting to provide the service through contracts not authenticated by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

A fine ranging between 5,000 and 20,000 riyals is imposed on those who do not provide potable water or a tank inspection certificate, and a fine of 20,000 riyals is imposed on those who do not provide electricity service from the official source, and a similar fine is imposed. If the façade of the facility is not clean or if there are visual distortions in it.

A fine of 5,000 riyals is applied to failure to conclude operation and maintenance contracts with licensed establishments, and a fine of 1,000 riyals is imposed on anyone who does not keep operation and maintenance records or does not provide them to the Ministry upon request.

Violators who begin any noise-causing maintenance work without the Ministry’s approval are punished with a fine of 2,000 riyals, and a similar fine is imposed on those who The halls, kitchens, basement, and upper floor are allowed to be used for non-designated purposes, and a fine of 4,000 riyals is imposed for not recording a guest’s entry and exit information according to the approved mechanism, while a similar fine is imposed for allowing the preparation of food and drinks in non-designated areas within the facility.

Procedures for temporary closure and cancellation of the license

The Ministry confirmed that the competent committee has the right to temporarily close the facility when a specific violation is repeated for the first time, and to cancel the license when it is repeated for the second time, taking into account the gradual progression of penalties. Finance, and ensuring that the maximum penalty is not exceeded, which reflects the Ministry’s keenness to implement justice and strict control in hospitality facilities during the Hajj season.

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