MUSCAT: Ministry of Heritage and Tourism on Tuesday warned individuals who are operating villas, apartments and guests houses and promoting it through various social media channels without obtaining the tourism licence.

The Ministry said such violators will face legal action. In a statement issued the Ministry said: “Based on Article (12)of the tourism law declared by royal decree number 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 licence from the ministry. Nor may a hotel at or tourist establishment be set up, utilised, or managed without a licence from the Ministry,” the statement said.

“The Ministry request to obtain a tourist license to establish and operate these units according to the rules specified by the tourism law that is mentioned above and the executive regulations stated to avoid applying the prescribed penalties in case of violation,” the statement added.