Unlicensed travel offices shut down by authorities

TDT | Manama

Two travel offices in the Muqaba and Tubli areas were shut down yesterday after violating certain laws. This was announced by the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA).

The closures were within the framework of the BTEA’s efforts to tighten control over tourist establishments such as hotels, restaurants, travel offices and other tourism activities.

The BTEA has been working in coordination with the Inspection Department of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism. The establishments were found to be practising the activities of travel offices without obtaining the necessary license from the BTEA.

Their management were notified of this and were required to comply with regulations, but following their failure to do so, the Judicial Adjusters of the ministry’s Inspection Department, in coordination with the Judicial Control Commissioners at the Department of Tourism Facilities and Services, seized the two offices and shut them down in preparation for administrative and legal measures.

The BTEA affirmed that it is continuing to enforce the relevant laws, in accordance with what is regulated by the laws in force in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the requirements of the public.

The authority stressed on more than one occasion the responsibility that rests with travel and tourism offices, as well as all tourist facilities, especially in light of the current conditions.