Saudi Arabia has updated regulations governing accommodation facilities for Hajj pilgrims in Makkah and Medinah, introducing stricter requirements on licensing, classification, safety and service standards ahead of the 2027 Hajj season.

The Saudi tourism ministry approved the updated regulations to ensure that facilities are operationally ready, properly maintained and capable of providing safe and quality services to pilgrims.

Ministry spokesperson Nasr Alansari said the changes strengthen the regulatory and operational framework and require accommodation facilities to be fully prepared before receiving pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The updated requirements include checks on operational readiness, safety and maintenance standards, essential services and other operational arrangements aimed at ensuring pilgrims have a safe and organised stay.

Under the new standards, Hajj accommodation facilities will be classified into economy and first-class categories, with separate requirements for each. The standards cover common areas, guest rooms, reception facilities, cleanliness, maintenance and services for guests.

The ministry will also conduct inspections and monitoring at different stages, including before licences are issued, before facilities begin operations and throughout the operational period, to ensure compliance and maintain service quality.

The ministry described hosting pilgrims as a ‘shared national responsibility’ reflecting a long-standing legacy spanning hundreds of years.

It said the standards were developed to improve accommodation services, provide pilgrims with a safe and enriching hospitality experience and demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s commitment to serving pilgrims.

More than 1.7 million pilgrims performed Hajj in 2026, according to the kingdom’s General Authority for Statistics. Of them, 1,546,655 arrived from abroad, while 160,646 were citizens and residents of Saudi Arabia.

The ministry said its latest measures build on intensified monitoring during the previous Hajj season.

In April, it reported conducting more than 19,000 inspections of hospitality facilities and temporary pilgrim accommodation in Makkah and Medinah.

Of the inspections, more than 11,000 were carried out in Makkah and 5,000 in Medinah, while around 3,000 visits focused on compliance and service quality at temporary accommodation facilities.

Field teams also conducted more than 3,300 awareness visits to encourage compliance with quality standards and licensing requirements.

Pilgrims were directed to the Unified Tourism Center at 930 for inquiries and feedback.

The ministry has also introduced a smart accommodation service aimed at improving the distribution of pilgrim housing.

The system provides real-time information on arrivals, occupancy levels and automated verification to help reduce waiting times.

The ministry urged operators seeking licences for Hajj 2027 accommodation facilities to complete applications early and ensure that maintenance and other preparations are finished before the season.