The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) has overturned 28 penalties issued last year against travel and tourism agencies.

It had received 128 appeals to cancel penalties imposed on tourism agencies after independent investigations. Faisal bin Mansour Al-Fadil, director of the SCTA’s legal management authority, said this represents 2.5 percent of 1,122 penalties issued by the SCTA last year.

Al-Fadil said investors in the tourism sector have a right to appeal the SCTA’s decisions. The appeals were checked and reviewed and their content verified independently, according to a report in a local publication.

“Regulatory mechanisms adopted by the SCTA helps it correct errors made by officials,” he said.

The SCTA's annual report shows that it issued 1,593 penalties in 2012, canceling 42 after reviewing 275 appeals. In 2013, the SCTA had issued 1,660 penalties and canceled 57 after reviewing 291.

Al-Fadil said the SCTA gives investors time to appeal rulings against them, with a special legal committee of the organization responsible for investigation.

The committee reports to the president of the SCTA.

Investors are allowed to submit an appeal or a petition to the president of the SCTA within 15 days of the date of the ruling. The appeal is then transferred to the legal department for study and re-evaluation.

Al-Fadil called on investors to study the regulations and laws that govern accommodation facilities and tourism activities on the website of the SCTA. He said they should read all the bylaws, rules and application forms so that they are aware of their rights and obligations.