Business · Companies · 7 hrs ago
Saudi Arabia bars 400 buildings from housing Hajj pilgrims
Saudi Arabia has excluded 400 buildings from Hajj accommodation this year because they did not meet basic building safety or service standards.
Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb said officials carried out 30,000 inspections to check accommodation.
More than 4,000 buildings are licensed to house pilgrims in Mecca and Medina, with capacity for over 1.3 million beds.
The country has also trained more than 45,000 workers to help pilgrims from arrival through transfer to their accommodation.
Pilgrim service satisfaction reached 93%, according to the minister of Hajj and Umrah, with work involving 60 government bodies.
The checks are intended to protect pilgrims and improve their stay during Hajj.
A four-day Hajj conference in Jeddah is bringing together service providers and officials to support preparations and develop services.
Saudi Arabia has excluded 400 buildings from housing Hajj pilgrims this year because they did not meet basic building-safety and service-quality standards.
Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khatib said the ministry carried out 30,000 inspection campaigns to check compliance.
More than 4,000 buildings have been licensed to house pilgrims in Mecca and Medina, with capacity exceeding 1.3 million beds.
The minister said more than 45,000 employees had been trained to serve pilgrims.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism excluded the buildings. Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khatib announced the decision.
- What
- 400 buildings were barred from housing Hajj pilgrims this year because they did not meet basic safety and service-quality standards.
- When
- This year. The announcement was made on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- Mecca and Medina are the locations cited for licensed pilgrim accommodation. The announcement was made at the Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah.
- Why
- The buildings did not meet basic standards for building safety and service quality.
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- Buildings excluded
- 400
- Inspection campaigns
- 30,000
- Licensed buildings
- More than 4,000
- Accommodation capacity
- More than 1.3 million beds
- Trained employees
- More than 45,000
What people are saying
The number of service-provider companies for pilgrims from abroad has been increased to 34, while the number of users of the Nusuk platform and app has reached more than 70 million