Saudi Arabia to add hospitality capacity to meet rising Umrah pilgrims: Minister

Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism

The Ministry of Tourism is working to raise the capacity of the hospitality sector in Makkah and Madinah, in order to meet the growth in the number of Umrah pilgrims and visitors, Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb said.

In an inspection tour in Makkah and Madinah to check the readiness of hospitality facilities and the quality of services for pilgrims, he added that the ministry is working on plans to raise capacity, including restoring and operating 9,000 hotel rooms in Madinah ahead of Ramadan.

The ministry balances between raising the quality of the hospitality sector and empowering the private sector through clarity on legislation and financing solutions, the minister added.

The private sector is a key partner in serving the pilgrims, he said, noting that the work will continue with investors to develop services and improve quality.

Al-Khateeb also pointed out that Madinah includes many museums and historical and cultural sites that enrich the experience of visitors and Umrah performers. In addition, the Saudi Tourism Authority is working to introduce visitors to these sites through various introductory and promotional material.