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.
