RIYADH: The Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage (SCTH) welcomed the decree issued following Cabinet session stating that violators of tourism regulations would be named and shamed in the future.
The director-general of the legal department at SCTH, Obaid bin Abdulrahman Malhan, noted the importance of applying this decree, stating that it would help improve service providers’ compliance with the regulations and help protect honest investors.
“The penalty includes publishing the judgment and violation — at the violator’s expense — in one or more newspapers distributed in their area of residence,” Malhan explained. “If that is not possible, then in a nearby area, or on any other adequate media platform, depending on the type and gravity of the violation.”
He stressed that such measures would only be taken once a conviction had been “conclusively acquired.”
Violators of Saudi tourism regulations to be named and shamed
Violators of Saudi tourism regulations to be named and shamed
Digital Umrah guide enhances pilgrim experience
JEDDAH: The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has released the “Umrah and Ziyarah Guide” in 16 languages to provide pilgrims with guidance and regulatory information in their native languages.
The initiative aims to raise awareness and help pilgrims perform their rituals with ease and peace of mind, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.
The guide serves as an interactive reference covering all stages of the Umrah and visitation journey — from pre-travel preparations and visa procedures to performing rituals, navigating the Two Holy Mosques, and completing departure formalities.
Organized chronologically, it allows pilgrims to quickly access stage-specific information and is enhanced with visuals and digital links to maps, instructional videos, and supporting services.
Topics include ihram, tawaf, and sa’i, etiquette within the Two Holy Mosques, and key services at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, along with organizational and behavioral guidelines to ensure smooth operations.
The ministry said the guide’s launch is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the pilgrim experience, strengthen procedural awareness, and support digital transformation, ultimately improving service quality and facilitating the journey. It is available at haj.gov.sa/Guides.
