TAIF: Abdullah Al-Sawaat, director general of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH) in Taif, has said that the Saudization rate at tourist facilities in the area stands at more than 28 percent, with work being done to increase the percentage even more through official bodies and investors.
He said that the SCTNH has been working since 2008 to offer incentives for investors to obtain operational permits and classification. This was also highlighted after the commission was given the authority to issue permits to tourist hostels. He added that its office branch in Taif has issued more than 335 permits and permits for more than 90 tourist facilities.
Al Sawaat said that at the beginning of Ramadan, tourism-related rules will become more stringent. Facilities that are not licensed will face a penalty that could reach up to SR100,000. This could be doubled in case of a second offense, followed by a possible closure.
A tourism official in Taif told a local newspaper that a large number of resorts and housing units in the province are not licensed. He also noted that the SCTNH has prescribed the specific kind of furniture and products to be used at tourism facilities. He said that around 60 percent of the products being used in Taif across some 900 facilities are not up to SCTNH specifications.
Saudization of tourism in Taif at 28%
Saudization of tourism in Taif at 28%
