Languages
In an effort to enhance communication and facilitate visitors, Saudi Arabia has established a multilingual team at the Madinah Guideline Centre. The staff at the center is proficient in Arabic, English, Urdu, Indonesian, Persian, and Turkish, aiming to assist visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque, Rawdah, the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization, as well as other sites in Madinah.
Operating 24/7, the Madinah Centre provides information on transportation, major landmarks in the holy city, and offers assistance for the elderly and people with disabilities, including emergency support. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to promote tourism in the country, with the goal of attracting 100 million tourists by 2030.
As part of this tourism drive, Saudi Arabia recently extended invitations to 1,000 prominent Muslim personalities to perform Umrah, emphasizing inclusivity and encouraging people from various parts of the world to experience the religious and cultural significance of the holy cities.
To ensure quality accommodation for visitors, the Saudi government has also taken measures to regulate the hospitality sector. Recently, 330 hotels and furnished apartments in Makkah and Madinah were sealed for violating rules and regulations in the holy cities.
These initiatives align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the oil-reliant economy and boost the tourism sector. By enhancing communication and services, the country aims to create a welcoming environment for visitors and achieve its ambitious tourism goals in the coming years. Overall, Saudi Arabia addresses language barriers by deploying a multilingual team in Madinah, offering assistance in six languages to visitors.
