Saudi Arabia has prepared 1.3 million beds for pilgrims of Hajj 1448 AH

Saudi Arabia's Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khateeb announced that more than 1.3 million beds have been prepared in the Kingdom for the upcoming Hajj season of 1448 AH for pilgrims. The statement was made at the Hajj Conference and Exhibition.

According to the minister, all buildings designated for pilgrim accommodation this season were licensed as of the previous day — this underscores the Kingdom's advance preparation to receive millions of the faithful.

Scale of accommodation in Mecca and Medina

Al-Khateeb clarified that approximately 4,000 buildings are available for accommodation in Mecca and Medina, with a combined capacity of 400,000 rooms. Additionally, temporary accommodation facilities for Hajj pilgrims provide approximately 560,000 beds. According to the minister's statement, these figures combined ensure accommodation for pilgrims in the upcoming season.

Comparing the scale of accommodation in the two holy cities with the indicators of countries worldwide, the minister noted that only about 10% of the world's nations have a comparable number of rooms.

Quality control and building safety

The Ministry of Tourism has been responsible for overseeing Hajj pilgrim accommodation since last year, focusing on two priorities: ensuring sufficient capacity and maintaining high service standards.

In coordination with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and under the supervision of the Supreme Committee for Hajj Affairs, which is headed by the Minister of Interior, approximately 400 buildings that did not meet the necessary requirements were taken out of service.

As Al-Khateeb explained, building inspections are conducted in two main areas: structural safety and quality of services provided. Together with Civil Defense authorities, buildings are assessed for structural strength, emergency exits, overall readiness, and suitability for hosting licensed pilgrims.

The minister also reported that, according to a survey, the level of Hajj pilgrim satisfaction was 93%, emphasizing that the quality of accommodation plays a key role in the overall impression of the trip: even with high levels of airport and transportation services, unsatisfactory living conditions can negatively affect pilgrims' final assessment. According to Al-Khateeb, ongoing coordination between government agencies is aimed at ensuring both sufficient capacity and high-quality services for pilgrims.

Sources: Saudi Gazette.

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