Asir province is witnessing a high turnout of local and regional tourists during the summer holidays, with high occupancy rates registered in hotels, furnished apartments and residential units.

Mohammed Al-Amra, director general of the General Authority of Tourism in the region and secretary-general of the Tourism and Festival Development Council, said the authority has documented the highest turnout of visitors this season.

“Asir has had a successful tourism season, despite fears that the holy month of Ramadan would cut the holiday season short and result in a decrease in the number of visitors,” Al-Amra said.

Full occupancy rates, he noted, requires greater monitoring and vigilance to ensure compliance with regulations.

“Four inspection teams have been dispatched to monitor tourism facilities and ensure that the authority’s pricing and hygiene standards are maintained,” he added.

More than 300 violations have been registered against touristic accommodations, he indicated, for licensing and health breaches. As a result, two establishments were temporarily closed and forty-two others incurred penalties.

“Inspection tours will continue during the rest of the tourist season and beyond, as field inspectors will also be recording visitors’ feedback,” Al-Amra said.