TAIF, 5 August 2006 — As part of the tourism-development strategy, the municipality of the highland retreat city of Taif has waived fees to its parks and gardens, the daily Al-Madinah reported yesterday. Muhammad ibn Abdul Rahman, director of Taif municipality, said that Municipal and Rural Affairs Minister Prince Miteb instructed city officials to drop the fees. Additionally, field inspectors are being dispatched to check on park owners to make sure that rules are being followed.
20 Saved From Stuck Roller Coaster
TAIF, 5 August 2006 — Rescue workers saved 20 people from a roller coaster ride that had got stuck at King Fahd Garden and Amusement Park in this resort city. Firefighters and members of the Saudi Red Crescent Society managed to rescue the people, some of whom suffered minor injuries when the ride malfunctioned and came to a sudden stop on the rails.
Attempt to Smuggle In Children Foiled
ABHA, 5 August 2006 — The highway patrol foiled an attempt to smuggle children across the southern border into the Kingdom, Al-Madinah reported yesterday. Officers attempted to pull over a truck for speeding but it attempted to flee despite warning shots. The truck was stopped at a roadblock after police shot out its tires. Ten children were found huddled in the bed of the truck. The driver was charged with reckless driving and fleeing police.
Crackdown on Illegal Lodgings
MAKKAH, 5 August 2006 — The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has announced that it is organizing municipal inspections to crack down on unlicensed lodging operations, especially in the two holy cities, Al-Madinah reported yesterday.
Commerce and Industry Minister Hashim Yamani said his department had been holding meetings with the Supreme Commission for Tourism to address the problem of illegal apartment rentals. He said these operations must be licensed in order to ensure that safety measures are implemented. A hotel in the holy city of Makkah collapsed on Jan. 5 during the Haj, killing 76 pilgrims.
