Wednesday, August 28, 2024 In a decisive move, Bahrain’s Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) recently took action against a travel agency in Sanabis for conducting unauthorized tourism activities. This intervention followed a series of complaints from citizens, bringing to light the dire consequences of engaging with unlicensed travel services. The agency in question was involved in organizing an unauthorized Arbaeen pilgrimage to Karbala, Iraq, which left 140 Bahrainis stranded after the tour operator disappeared without settling hotel fees amounting to BD15,000.
The situation unfolded when the stranded individuals’ passports were confiscated by a hotel owner in Karbala as collateral for the unpaid debts. The BTEA, upon receiving the complaints, swiftly coordinated with the Bahraini Embassy, the Foreign Ministry, and Iraq’s Interior Ministry to recover the passports and ensure the safe return of the affected citizens to Bahrain. The travel agency’s license did not authorize it to arrange travel, and it was only permitted to offer visitor assistance services and make reservations for recreational activities, excluding air transportation.
As a result, the BTEA has shut down the agency and referred the case to the Public Prosecution for further investigation. This incident has underscored the critical importance of ensuring that travel agencies are fully licensed and authorized to provide the services they offer. The BTEA is committed to ongoing monitoring of travel and tourism offices in collaboration with relevant government agencies, reinforcing the regulations that govern the industry to protect the public interest.
The incident in Bahrain has significant implications for the global travel industry. It serves as a stark reminder to travelers worldwide to verify the credentials of travel agencies before engaging their services. The BTEA’s swift action in shutting down the unlicensed agency and recovering the passports of the stranded citizens demonstrates the importance of regulatory oversight in the travel sector.
The situation also highlights the vulnerabilities that travelers face when dealing with unlicensed entities. Unlicensed agencies often operate outside the bounds of legal protections, leaving travelers exposed to risks such as financial loss, abandonment in foreign countries, and legal complications. This case reinforces the need for travelers to exercise due diligence by checking the validity of licenses and services through official portals like Bahrain’s Sijilat business portal.
To prevent similar incidents in the future, the BTEA and other government bodies are urging consumers to engage only with licensed and reliable travel agencies. The Sijilat portal allows consumers to verify the legitimacy of businesses by entering the commercial registration (CR) number or business name, providing an easy and accessible way to ensure that the services offered are authorized and legal. The authorities have also issued warnings that any unlicensed entity found offering travel services will face legal consequences.
This proactive approach by Bahrain’s government highlights the importance of enforcing industry regulations to protect consumers from fraudulent or unauthorized services. Key Points: This incident is a reminder of the potential risks involved in international travel when dealing with unlicensed entities. Travelers must remain vigilant and informed, especially in regions where regulatory enforcement might be stringent but not always transparent.
By ensuring that they engage only with licensed and authorized agencies, travelers can significantly reduce their exposure to risks and enjoy a safer, more secure travel experience..
