A bustling Capital Governorate constituency that includes Juffair, Nabih Saleh, Adliya, Umm Al Hassam and Ghuraifa has witnessed 701 inspections over the past three years, following the opening of several tourism facilities.
Tourism Minister Fatima Al Sairafi said 42 hotels, 116 restaurants and 52 furnished apartments in the constituency were currently licensed to provide services.
A total of 108 new licences were approved for tourism establishments since October 2022 and until this month.
She also announced that there were plans to increase the number of inspectors to deal with tourism facilities across the country and this constituency, in particular.
“We are committed to upholding regulatory integrity and enhancing the quality of tourism services in Bahrain,” said Ms Al Sairafi, in a written response to a question by Parliament foreign affairs, defence and national security committee chairman and area MP Hassan Bukhammas.
Mr Bukhammas
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“The inspections were part of a comprehensive effort to ensure compliance with tourism laws and regulations,” she added, noting that the visits included both routine and surprise inspections as well as joint campaigns with other authorities.
“The inspections covered all aspects of a tourism facility’s operations, including its licence, commercial registration and service-related practices.
“We are fully committed to preserving the integrity of Bahrain’s tourism sector.
“These inspections are critical to ensuring not only legal compliance but also the safety, transparency, and service quality that visitors and investors expect.”
Ms Al Sairafi
Ms Al Sairafi pointed out that inspection teams operate in co-ordination with multiple participants from other ministries and government bodies to detect and address violations.
“We have a structured response process that reinforces good governance across the tourism ecosystem,” she said.
“Currently there are 16 tourism inspectors and judicial officers, but there is a strategic plan to increase this number.
“The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA), in co-ordination with the Civil Service Bureau, is working to reinforce its workforce in line with the recent decree restructuring the BTEA.
“The reform separated licensing from inspection tasks to improve operational efficiency and oversight.”
Ms Al Sairafi said that since December 2022, the ministry recorded 224 violations involving tourism establishments across the country.
“These infractions varied widely and included financial violations such as non-payment of service fees and failure to submit audited financial reports, licensing violations, including unauthorised subleasing, management changes without approval and altering facility functions without proper licensing,” she explained.
“Operational breaches included non-compliance with official working hours for tourist restaurants.
“To address such violations, we summon management for questioning by judicially-empowered inspectors, and accordingly issue appropriate recommendations that include referral to the Public Prosecution, administrative action, or both.
“As of now, the ministry has issued around 119 administrative decisions, ranging from licence suspensions and temporary closures to formal warnings, depending on the nature and severity of the infraction.”
Ms Al Sairafi stressed the importance of regulatory clarity and enforcement.
“Accountability is a pillar of any thriving tourism industry,” she said.
“We are not only building infrastructure and attracting investments, but also ensuring that rules are upheld across the board.
“The ministry’s intensified inspection campaigns and its plan to expand enforcement capacity highlight Bahrain’s broader strategy to enhance governance, protect the reputation of its tourism sector and ensure high standards of service delivery.
“The government continues to stress the importance of lawful operations, transparent management and swift action against violators to support the sector’s growth and international competitiveness.”
The Shura Council will be notified about the minister’s response during its session on Sunday.
Ms Sairafi will also appear at the Parliament session on Tuesday to respond to any queries by MPs.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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