BTEA Detects 40 Violating Tourism Offices and Warns Offenders of Strict Legal Consequences

TDT | Manama

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As part of its efforts to regulate the tourism and travel sector, the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) announced that it has detected more than 40 offices practicing unlicensed travel and tourism reservations activities.

The Authority reported that the Tourism Control Directorate has identified the violating offices as part of its ongoing inspection campaigns carried out to regulate the tourism and travel sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Additionally, BTEA explained that some of the violating offices have resorted to using different addresses or publishing advertisements on social media without obtaining the necessary licenses, confirming that administrative procedures regarding these violations are currently being finalised, with the owners of these offices referred to the Public Prosecution for legal action.

The Authority reiterated its commitment to addressing all received complaints and cases as the official body responsible for overseeing travel and tourism offices in the Kingdom. It also emphasised its ongoing cooperation with other relevant government authorities to ensure the effective implementation of applicable laws and regulations.

Moreover, the Authority called on citizens and residents to verify the existence of a tourism license for tourism offices before entering into any contracts with them, noting that tourism reservations through these offices must only be made after obtaining the necessary license to operate, issued by the competent authorities. The tourism license certificate should be prominently displayed in a visible location, as any unlicensed entity will face consequences for violating applicable laws and regulations.

The Authority urged the owners of violating offices to refrain from engaging in reservations and travel activities until they have completed the procedures, conditions and standards outlined in Ministerial Resolution No. 36 of 2019 concerning the regulation of tourism and travel offices and companies. This includes ensuring the presence of a qualified office manager with appropriate experience in the field and providing the necessary equipment and devices to avoid legal repercussions stipulated in the Tourism Law, which can include administrative fines of up to BD 2,500, in addition to referral to the Public Prosecution if a violation is confirmed.