Tourism Ministry shuts 33 hospitality facilities over worker data violations

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism has intensified inspection campaigns on licensed hospitality facilities across the Kingdom to ensure compliance with requirements to register and update employee data.The ministry said the inspections focused on verifying that hospitality facilities properly record and periodically update information on workers, including those employed directly or through operational contracts.Required data includes personal information, qualifications, professional experience and other details, which must be updated every three months.The ministry said the inspections are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen compliance with tourism regulations and improve the quality of services provided to visitors.Authorities stressed that registering and updating employee data is a key requirement to ensure accurate operational records and enhance monitoring and oversight.The inspection campaigns resulted in 84 closure decisions against hospitality facilities for failing to register or update employee information.Of these, 33 facilities were shut down after failing to comply with the requirements, while 41 establishments corrected their status and completed the necessary registration and updates.The ministry said it will continue conducting intensive inspection campaigns across hospitality facilities and other tourism activities.It urged establishments to promptly complete the registration and periodic updating of employee data to avoid regulatory penalties.