QTA has authorised a number of its employees to act as judicial commissioners, based on a decision from the Public Prosecution
In order to ensure that star hotels, tourist facilities and organisers of exhibitions fully abide by the terms of relevant laws and regulations, Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) has authorised a number of its employees to act as judicial commissioners, based on a decision from the Public Prosecution.
The initiative is in line with the Public Prosecution’s Decision Number 21 of 2015, endorsed by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce.
Designated QTA employees will have the authority to pursue offenders violating Law Number 6 of 2012 on Tourism Regulations or Law Number 7 of 2013 on Organising Exhibitions.
The QTA employees concerned will have the full authority to report violations that might be committed by hotels, tourist facilities, or exhibitions in the State of Qatar, according to an announcement made yesterday.
“There is no doubt that the decision is a milestone in QTA’s history,” chief tourism development officer Hassan al-Ibrahim said.
The decision supports QTA in its efforts aimed to maintaining a sustainable tourism sector in the State of Qatar, as well as achieving the objectives of Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030.
The decision will also ensure tourism sector’s institutions; adherence to the best international tourism standards and practices. QTA is working in co-operation with partners in the public and private sector as well as stakeholders in the industry to upgrade tourism in Qatar to international standards.
“The jurisdiction of these officers includes spotting violations, pinpointing perpetrators, and gathering the evidence needed for investigation and trial,” explained the QTA official.
“The decision will be a real push for the efforts aimed at promoting the tourism sector especially since its objective is to ensure the adherence of hotels and tourist facilities to relevant laws and regulations, drafted with the aim of developing and upgrading the tourism sector in accordance with international standards,” al-Ibrahim added.
The decision is part of QTA’s efforts to develop the tourism sector’s human resources and economic aspects, which will help to increase the industry’s contributions to the GDP of the State of Qatar.
QTA also reiterated that it adheres to the stipulations of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, which aims to improve and develop tourism sector’s performance, thus turning it into an effective contributor to the national economy.
Last year, number of hotels and tourist facilities signed and ratified the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism in an official ceremony sponsored by QTA.
The code stresses the importance for tourist establishments across the world to observe international standards aimed at establishing a sustainable tourism industry.
