New regulation for hotel prices

JEDDAH: The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH) has said they have introduced new regulations for the prices of hotels and furnished apartments.
The new pricing regulations entered into force at the beginning of the Ramadan month. Under the new rules, prices will be left to the discretion of the service provider, according to the controls and parameters assigned by the SCTNH.
Omar Al-Mubarak, director general, Licensing Department, said the regulation aims to monitor prices provided by the operators to the tourist accommodation facilities.
It stipulates that they should announce the list of prices in a visible place at the reception area, and that these prices cannot be amended prior to one year of the date of submission to the commission and the date of announcing it on the website of the SCTNH.
He said that there are a number of parameters in place to prevent overpricing, the most important of which is the announcement of the prices submitted by operators on the website of SCTNH, which will make investors keen on providing competitive and realistic prices on the website.
He said the SCTNH will supply the Zakat and income department with a copy of the price list which was provided by the same operator.
Al-Mubarak also noted that the commission will continue to conduct inspection and control tours in tourist accommodation facilities across the Kingdom to ensure their commitment to the declared prices and services, which should match the category of the classification given to the facility.
“Any violation of the announced prices will entail a fine of SR 50,000,” he confirmed. He stressed the importance of the cooperation of everyone to report any violations, whether related to the prices or the services offered.