By the end of 2024, the total number of licensed hospitality facilities in Makkah reached 1,030, reflecting an 80 percent increase compared to the previous year, as reported by the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Tourism.

This surge positions Makkah at the forefront of the Kingdom, boasting the highest number of licensed facilities and hotel rooms.

The increase is part of broader efforts to enhance the visitor experience, particularly for Umrah pilgrims, with the Saudi government emphasizing its commitment to safeguarding the rights of visitors using hospitality services in the region.

The Saudi Press Agency noted that the ministry's inspection teams engage in regular monitoring and evaluation of the facilities throughout the year to ensure compliance with licensing standards and to identify any violations, enforcing fines when necessary under the existing Tourism Law and Regulations of Tourist Accommodation Facilities.

Beyond Makkah, Saudi Arabia's hospitality sector has also seen significant growth, with licensed hospitality facilities across the Kingdom surpassing 3,950 by the end of the third quarter of 2024. This marks a 99 percent increase from the same period in 2023. The number of licensed rooms has surged to 443,000, which is a 107 percent rise compared to the 214,000 recorded in the previous year.

Further projections from CoStar, a global real estate data provider, indicate that Makkah and Madinah are poised for additional development, with 17,646 and 20,079 rooms respectively in various stages of construction scheduled for completion in 2025.

In terms of international tourism, Saudi Arabia welcomed 30 million inbound tourists in 2024, an increase from 27.4 million in 2023. The Kingdom has set ambitious goals to attract 150 million visitors annually by 2030 and aims to increase the tourism sector’s contribution to the GDP from 6 percent to 10 percent.

In preparation for the upcoming 2024 Hajj season, Makkah's licensed hospitality facilities currently total 816, providing 227,000 rooms to accommodate pilgrims.

Authorities have launched several initiatives to streamline operations, which include improved crowd management strategies, a digital meal distribution service, and an expanded fleet of electric golf carts at the Grand Mosque.

Moreover, the General Authority for the Care of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has introduced spatial guidance systems and multilingual support to assist with visitor navigation, enhancing the overall pilgrimage experience.

Saudi Arabia's extensive investments in hospitality and tourism demonstrate its strategic vision to establish itself as a significant global travel hub for both religious and leisure visitors.