With a tourism renaissance taking place in the Kingdom, the government has introduced several measures to ensure quality services are offered to the public.
Last week, the Ministry of Tourism introduced regulations for more effective oversight by its inspectors, including of guides and the management of hospitality facilities.
Inspectors must maintain the confidentiality of information and adhere to procedures for documenting and registering violations. They must not accept any gifts, and reject any offers or services from tourism operators and their employees.
These officials are allowed to enter any facility to obtain information necessary for their tasks, including examining records, contracts, licenses, permits, and classifications, whether in electronic or paper form.
In addition, they have the authority to review the personal identification documents of workers at tourism facilities. They are also allowed to interview and photograph these workers.
The officials are allowed to use devices including smartphones, tablets and cameras. They also have the authority to document interviews they decide to hold with managers and employees of facilities.
Inspectors can issue penalties for certain violations that have been approved by the ministry.
In addition, the ministry may assign an evaluator to conduct secret and confidential evaluations of a tourism facility to determine the quality of services provided.
If a covert investigation has uncovered poor quality services or non-compliance with the regulations, the ministry can assign an inspector to review the facility.
• Dimah Talal Al-Sharif is a Saudi legal consultant, head of the health law department at the law firm of Majed Garoub and a member of the International Association of Lawyers. Twitter: @dimah_alsharif
