The Ministry of Tourism has intensified its field monitoring efforts on all types of hospitality facilities, including hotels, serviced apartments, and others, in both the Holy City of Mecca and Medina, coinciding with the first half of the holy month of Ramadan, to ensure that establishments comply with quality standards and regulations.
Details of inspection tours and observed violations
Official statistics revealed that the Ministry's inspection teams conducted 1,166 inspection visits to hospitality facilities in Mecca during this period, resulting in the detection of 762 violations . In contrast, Medina witnessed 426 inspection visits 128 violations were recorded , bringing the total number of violations detected in the two holy cities to 890.
The ministry's efforts were not limited to penalties; they also included an intensive awareness campaign. Field teams conducted 887 awareness visits in Mecca and 367 similar visits in Medina. These visits aimed to encourage those in charge of hospitality facilities to adhere to the necessary standards and requirements to improve service levels.
The importance of timing and the context of the event
These monitoring campaigns are of exceptional importance given their timing with the holy month of Ramadan, which represents the peak of the annual Umrah and visitation season. During this period, Makkah and Madinah witness an influx of millions of pilgrims and visitors from within the Kingdom and abroad, placing the accommodation and hospitality sector under significant operational pressure that necessitates close monitoring to ensure that service standards are not compromised.
These steps align with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , specifically the Guests of God Service Program, which aims to facilitate the hosting of Umrah pilgrims and provide high-quality services that enrich their religious and cultural experience. The quality of accommodation facilities is a fundamental pillar in the system of services provided to visitors of the Two Holy Mosques.
Type of violations and quality of services
The ministry explained that the most prominent violations that were detected revolved around several key points, including:
- Failure to comply with the decisions and instructions issued by the Ministry.
- Low level of general hygiene in some establishments.
- Failure to provide the ministry with the required data and statistics.
- Incomplete data for employees at the facility.
The monitoring and awareness efforts included extensive coverage, reaching more than 1,420 hospitality facilities in Makkah and more than 573 facilities in Madinah, reflecting the comprehensiveness of the campaign and the Ministry’s keenness to cover as many establishments as possible.
Communication and reporting channels
In closing, the Ministry of Tourism called on all visitors and beneficiaries to not hesitate to submit their comments or inquiries, or to report any violations they observe in hospitality facilities, by contacting the Unified Tourism Center at number (930), stressing that beneficiary satisfaction is the highest priority in evaluating the performance of tourism establishments.
