Ministry to penalise guest house operators without licences

Muscat: The Ministry of Heritage and Tourism has warned individuals and companies to obtain a tourist licence to run villas, apartments, guest houses for tourists.

"The ministry has noticed that some companies and individuals without tourism licences are advertising and promoting such services on various social media channels," the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry has directed such entities to obtain licences to avoid penalties.

The law

Article (12) of the Tourism Law, enforced by Royal Decree No. 33/2002, states: "No natural or juristic person may occupy a tourist site or region, or a part of it, or utilise, or exploit or dispose of it, without a license from the Ministry. Nor may a hotel or tourist establishment be set up, utilised, or managed without a licence from the Ministry."