Saudi authorities have taken stringent action, closing a total of 330 hotels and furnished apartments in the revered cities of Makkah and Madinah due to violations of regulations, crucial destinations for Muslims globally.
This measure was prompted by the Ministry of Tourism’s inspection of 2000 hotels, intending to streamline the tourism sector and enhance hospitality facilities.
In Makkah, the ministry shut down 280 unlicensed facilities operating without the necessary permits.
Similarly, in Madinah, around 50 hotels and other establishments were halted due to the discovery of 1,200 violations, including pending licenses.
The inspection campaign operates under the guiding principle, “Our guests are a priority.”
Anticipating 10 million Muslim pilgrims for Umrah in 2024, Saudi Arabia continues its preparations.
Saudi Arabia aims to draw in 100 million tourists by 2030, diversifying its oil-dependent economy. To achieve this target, authorities are rigorously overseeing the sector and elevating service standards.
As the custodian of significant Islamic sites, Saudi Arabia annually hosts millions of Muslim pilgrims performing Umrah and Hajj every year, as well as visiting the Prophet’s tomb in Al Rawda Al Sharifa.
I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
