The authorities have intensified inspection campaigns in the holy city of Makkah with the aim to provide pilgrims and visitors quality accommodation and facilities.

The campaigns are being conducted by the SCTA in coordination with the Ministry of Haj. “We have conducted 1,262 inspections in the holy city so far to ensure that pilgrims have access to high quality accommodation,” Mohammed A. Al-Amri, director general of Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiques told Arab News on Monday.

“The hospitality sector is important for pilgrims where the SCTA is playing a major role by ensuring that the Guests of Allah have a comfortable stay and avail the best facilities in the holy city,” Al-Amri said.

The SCTA is slapping fines on errant firms ranging from SR4,000 to SR25,000 and is also taking into consideration the number of repeated offenses by hotels or furnished apartments.

Al-Amri said that the SCTA has closed 41 hotels in Makkah recently for operating without a license. “The commission has booked 235 cases against erring firms in the holy city in the past month alone,” he informed.

“However, the SCTA is not pressing the quality standard criterion on waqf (endowment) properties where pilgrims are accommodated free of cost,” the official clarified. Al-Amri said that in such facilities, the SCTA is only ensuring that they have approvals from the municipality and civil defense department.

He said that there are currently 649 hotels with 14,076 rooms operating in Makkah which need to be monitored constantly for compliance with quality standards. “Another 14 hotels are expected to be operational by next year to receive guests in the holy city,” Al-Amri said.

He also said that the SCTA is working strategically to boost investments in the hospitality sector in the holy city. “The Bwab Al-Makkah project is the first venture of its kind being launched in Makkah where the SCTA is working to attract investments,” Al-Amri informed adding that the project will embody the heritage of 57 Islamic nations.