Requirements for temporary accommodations in Mecca and Medina: New standards for pilgrim safety

In a strategic move aimed at enhancing Hajj and Umrah services, the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism, has issued a comprehensive set of updated municipal regulations governing the temporary accommodation sector in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. This step is intended to ensure a safe and comfortable stay for pilgrims, in accordance with the highest international standards of safety and urban planning.

Context of the vision and the importance of timing

These requirements are particularly important in light of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 objectives, specifically the Guests of God Service Program, which aims to facilitate the hosting of more Umrah and Hajj pilgrims, reaching 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually by 2030. To achieve this ambitious goal, it was essential to develop the infrastructure of the accommodation sector, especially temporary accommodations, which play a pivotal role during peak seasons. Historically, the Kingdom has always strived to dedicate all its material and human resources to serving the Two Holy Mosques, and these new regulations are part of the ongoing development of the Holy Sites and their surrounding areas.

Details of technical and spatial requirements

The ministry explained that the new regulations focus precisely on the temporal and spatial scope, limiting them to buildings designated for seasonal use during the Hajj period. These specifications aim to ensure the selection of the most logistically suitable locations to serve pilgrims, thus facilitating crowd management and movement. On the technical side, the updates require investors to strictly adhere to the Saudi Building Code, taking into account construction standards that guarantee the sustainability of buildings.

The regulations also placed great emphasis on visual identity, stressing the need for exterior facades and designs to align with the heritage and spiritual character of Mecca and Medina, thus contributing to improving the urban landscape and eliminating visual pollution. The regulations included defining building ratios, setbacks, and regulating commercial signage in a civilized manner.

Safety and health standards: a top priority

The ministry placed the safety of pilgrims at the top of its priorities, linking the granting of operational licenses to the necessity of obtaining approvals from the Civil Defense and relevant supervisory authorities. The requirements included:

• Providing advanced security camera surveillance networks covering the site to ensure security.
• Making facilities accessible to people with disabilities, reflecting the inclusiveness of services.
• Adherence to public hygiene standards and waste management in healthy and sound ways.
• All employees in this hostel must have documented health certificates to ensure they are free from infectious diseases, in accordance with public health protocols.

Expected economic and developmental impact

These regulations are expected to bring about a qualitative shift in the seasonal hospitality sector. Domestically, this clear regulatory environment will encourage investors to inject capital into developing hospitality facilities, thus raising the quality of the real estate supply. Internationally, the Kingdom's commitment to these stringent standards enhances the confidence of Islamic countries and their diplomatic missions in the level of care and services provided to their citizens, further solidifying the Kingdom's position as a leading model in crowd management and the organization of major religious events.