RIYADH: In an effort to maintain the dignity and sanctity of the Two Holy Mosques, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH) has made it mandatory for all operators of tourism accommodations in Makkah and Madinah to stop broadcasting certain TV channels including those airing music and films in these two cities.
According to information made available to an online newspaper, the reason behind these measures taken by the commission was popular demand to restrict certain types of television channels in tourist accommodations because they do not match the sanctity of these two cities. The commission decided to investigate if the order is being taken care of by these facilities. It has also urged citizens and residents to inform if they find any violation of this order.
It said that those accommodation facilities in these cities found violating these orders would be brought to book and punished.
During Ramadan in the past, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage has fined as much as SR100,000 for such violations. This multiplies with the repetition of the violation or closure of the facilities to end violations in these tourist facilities.
Engineer Khalid Al-Shahrani, director of the branch of the commission, said that there are surveillance teams which visit all tourist accommodation facilities in these two cities under an authorized program to ensure that there is no violation of such orders. These visits also make sure that the quality of services and the rates of these facilities were also according to the rules.
It has urged the citizens and residents to contact on phone number 19988 to register any complaint, give suggestions or for any inquiry in this required. The commission has also prohibited keeping remote controls for these TVs inside hotel rooms.
According to information made available to an online newspaper, the reason behind these measures taken by the commission was popular demand to restrict certain types of television channels in tourist accommodations because they do not match the sanctity of these two cities. The commission decided to investigate if the order is being taken care of by these facilities. It has also urged citizens and residents to inform if they find any violation of this order.
It said that those accommodation facilities in these cities found violating these orders would be brought to book and punished.
During Ramadan in the past, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage has fined as much as SR100,000 for such violations. This multiplies with the repetition of the violation or closure of the facilities to end violations in these tourist facilities.
Engineer Khalid Al-Shahrani, director of the branch of the commission, said that there are surveillance teams which visit all tourist accommodation facilities in these two cities under an authorized program to ensure that there is no violation of such orders. These visits also make sure that the quality of services and the rates of these facilities were also according to the rules.
It has urged the citizens and residents to contact on phone number 19988 to register any complaint, give suggestions or for any inquiry in this required. The commission has also prohibited keeping remote controls for these TVs inside hotel rooms.
