MANAMA: The owners of the four-star properties in Bahrain on Sunday said that closure of all entertainment outlets in case of violation of rules may cause loss of five per cent in revenues.
These views were expressed by the management of the 28 four star properties who gathered at Al Safir Hotel to discuss the issue of penalties imposed by the Tourism Affairs Directorate.
The meeting was dispersed without any common ground but they agreed to continue such meetings to discuss the issue.
According to the hotels representatives though there were violations but the outlet in question should be closed not all outlets in the hotel.
They maintained that as per the earlier written order circulated in November last year in case of violation the outlet in question will be closed not all outlets in the hotel.
Out of 44 four star hotels, 32 hotels are facing penalties in gross violation of the rules and regulations.
On Sunday, the tourism authorities had defended their decision to suspend the licences of four-star hotels and ban them from hiring musical bands.
“The decision was taken after surveying 154 violations at 28 four-star hotels despite repeated warnings since 2013”, Culture Ministry Assistant Undersecretary for Tourism Shaikh Khalid bin Humood Al-Khalifa said.
In a statement he said a total of 155 violations had been reported in April-May 2013 at 28 four-star hotels, which promoted the tourism directorate to issue a circular in July 2013.
He pointed out that 12 other four-star hotels did not flout the rules and regulations governing the tourism sector, while 28 others violated the law.
He revealed that hotels, which were found in breach of the law, had transformed restaurants and cafes into discos and dancing floors, hired so-called singers without licences and exceeded the legal work timing which represented an affront to the Bahrain’s social traditions.
He revealed that bids relating to Bahrain’s new tourism identity, pointing plans to set up an investment company as part of efforts to promote the quality of Bahrain’s tourism products.
In a lengthy interview, he announced the new categorization of hotels and apartment hotels would be approved with a few days as part of the new tourism identity.
Citing updated official figures, he said that the revenues generated by the tourism sector soared to BD200 million this year, up from BD180 million last year.