Bahrain Cracks Down on Tourism Violations with Immediate Fines

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Fatima Al Sairafi, Minister of Tourism, has issued a new decree granting the ministry the authority to impose immediate administrative fines for tourism-related violations, eliminating the need for court referrals. This decision aligns with the recently enacted Tourism Regulation Decree Law.

The new decree outlines 73 violations across five tourism sectors: hotels, furnished apartments, restaurants, tour guiding, and travel and tourism agencies. Penalties for these violations range from 500 to 8,000 Bahraini dinars (BHD).

Repeat offenders within one year of a previous violation will face doubled fines. Additionally, the fine calculated on a daily basis will be doubled if the violation is repeated within three years of the initial fine.

A detailed schedule attached to the decree specifies the violations and corresponding fines for hotels and similar establishments. Notably, operating without a license, after license expiration or revocation, or following a closure order carries a fine of 6,000 to 8,000 BHD. Transferring, leasing, or subletting the license or related facilities without written permission from the authority incurs a 3,000 to 5,000 BHD penalty.

Fines of 8,000 BHD are imposed for offering tips or gratuities in any form, while operating a new or closing an existing facility without a license incurs a 1,000 to 3,000 BHD penalty. Failure to provide 24-hour security guards and publishing advertisements as well as promotions without receiving approval from the Ministry of Tourism attract fines of 2,000 and 300 BHD, respectively.

The decree also specifies violations and fines for furnished apartments. Operating without a license or after its expiration, revocation, or closure order carries a 4,000 to 5,000 BHD penalty. Failure to implement safety measures for swimming pools and not providing 24-hour surveillance cameras and keeping the captured CCTV camera's footage for four months incur fines ranging between 2000 and 4000 BHD.

Additionally, a 3,000 BHD fine is imposed for non-compliance with building and equipment maintenance requirements. Failure to comply with tourism service fee regulations, electronic invoice requirements as per the authority's instructions, or the addition of any amounts to the approved service fees incurs a penalty of 1,000 to 3,000 BHD.

A 100 BHD fine applies for not displaying the license certificate or tourism classification plaque in a visible location. Furthermore, a 2,000 to 3,000 BHD penalty is incurred for transferring or leasing the license to others without written permission from the authority.

A 5,000 BHD fine or 50 BHD per day applies for failing to submit the audited financial report within the specified period. A 100 BHD to 2,000 BHD fine is imposed for violating the effective decisions, requirements, and circulars issued by the authority.

The attached table to the decree also outlines the violations and fines for restaurants catering to tourists. Engaging in activities that could harm the reputation of national tourism or the profession carries a penalty of 4,000 to 6,000 BHD. Failing to connect the restaurant's system to the tourism electronic statistics system incurs a fine of 3,000 BHD or 100 BHD per day.

Non-payment of hotel service fees within the specified timeframe results in a penalty of 5,000 BHD or 100 BHD per day. Non-compliance with restaurant operating hours as well as tourism-specific specifications, requirements, and standards attracts fines of 500 to 3,000 BHD and 100 to 2,000 BHD, respectively.

The attached table to the decree also outlines the violations and fines for restaurants catering to tourists. Engaging in activities that could harm the reputation of national tourism or the profession carries a penalty of 4,000 to 6,000 BHD.

Failing to connect the restaurant's system to the tourism electronic statistics system incurs a fine of 3,000 BHD or 100 BHD per day. Non-payment of hotel service fees within the specified timeframe results in a penalty of 5,000 BHD or 100 BHD per day.

Non-compliance with restaurant operating hours as well as tourism-specific specifications, requirements, and standards attracts fines of 500 to 3,000 BHD and 100 to 2,000 BHD, respectively.

The table also outlines violations and fines specific to tour guiding activities. Operating without a license or after its expiration results in a 200 BHD fine. Transferring the license or allowing its use without the authority's consent incurs a 100 BHD penalty. Engaging in tour guide activities in restricted areas without special permission can lead to a 100 to 300 BHD fine. Non-compliance with professionalism, ethical conduct, honesty, and courtesy in interactions is subject to a 100 to 300 BHD penalty. Failure to display the tour guide card while working results in a 50 BHD fine.

Finally, the table outlines the violations and fines imposed on administrative offices and tourism and travel agencies, which number 6 violations. The most notable ones are: A 500 BHD fine for organising diving trips without the participants having the appropriate license from an accredited international body, or for failing to provide licensed instructors if the participants do not have the international license.

A 100 or 300 BHD fine for not including all necessary details and conditions about the services provided in advertisements for activities, in a way that avoids ambiguity or confusion for the public. A 100,000 BHD fine for losing any of the licensing requirements during the office's period of operation.