Surge in Makkah’s licensed hospitality facilities hits 80 percent

Surge in Makkah’s licensed hospitality facilities hits 80 percent

Saudi Arabia landscape

Saudi Arabia experienced a significant rise in the number of licensed hospitality facilities in Makkah, reaching 1,030 by the end of 2024. This marked an impressive 80 percent increase compared to the previous year, according to Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism. Consequently, Makkah now leads the kingdom in the number of licensed facilities and rooms.

Moreover, this expansion underscores the ministry’s dedication to improving service quality. As part of its ongoing initiatives, the ministry continues to conduct inspections to ensure compliance with licensing requirements. Furthermore, these inspections help detect violations and impose fines under the Tourism Law and Regulations of Tourist Accommodation Facilities, ensuring industry standards remain high.

In addition to Makkah, Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector has been growing rapidly, surpassing 3,950 licensed hospitality facilities across the kingdom by the third quarter of 2024. This represents a remarkable 99 percent increase compared to the third quarter of 2023, demonstrating the industry’s upward trajectory. Furthermore, the number of licensed rooms surged to 443,000, a notable 107 percent rise from the 214,000 recorded a year earlier.

According to CoStar, Makkah and Madinah have 37,725 rooms combined in various development stages for 2025. This expansion aligns with Saudi Arabia’s tourism goals, as the kingdom recorded 30 million inbound tourists in 2024. Moreover, authorities aim to attract 150 million visitors annually by 2030.

Ahead of the 2024 Hajj season, Makkah’s licensed hospitality facilities reached 816, offering 227,000 rooms to accommodate pilgrims. Authorities have also introduced new initiatives, such as enhanced crowd management, digital meal distribution and an expanded electric golf cart fleet at the Grand Mosque. Additionally, the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has implemented spatial guidance systems and multilingual support.

Ultimately, Saudi Arabia’s rapid hospitality expansion highlights its ambition to establish itself as a global travel hub, catering to both religious and leisure visitors.

 

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About author

Rita Ghantous

Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector. Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC). She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book. She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter. Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler. It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.

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