Plan afoot to arrange better services for Umrah visitors

The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) is working on a plan to license buildings which will accommodate Umrah pilgrims and visitors with the aim to improve services for the guests of God.
Hamad Al-Semaeel, acting vice president at the SCTA, said the commission is working in collaboration with investors and government partners to provide better services to pilgrims who stay in these buildings.
The commission will announce the minimum specifications for hospitality, in addition to safety, security and public health to investors in the administration of these buildings.
The commission intends to hold a workshop for operators to explain licensing requirements for operating these buildings and to take note of any issues.
Al-Semaeel appreciated the cooperation of the Ministry of Haj and government and private partners in reaching this decision.
He confirmed that the Council of Ministers’ resolution to grant the licensing of these buildings to the commission reflects the government’s interest to support national tourism, regulate the tourism sector and restructure it to become an important economic sector.
He said that the supervision of hotels and tourist facilities was transferred to the commission five years ago, a move which has achieved positive results in restructuring and regulating the market.
“The decision reflects the importance the government places on the need to provide the best services to the guests of God including comfort and safety,” he said, adding that the commission gives special importance to the pilgrim cities of Makkah and Madinah due to their sacred status.
Alsamaeel also hoped that these decisions will reflect the generous nature of the Saudi people and their government.
He said authorities specialized in licensing are now trying to develop procedures by introducing electronic linkages. Omar bin Abdul Aziz Al-Mubarak, director general of the licensing directorate at the SCTA, called on investors and operators in pilgrim accommodation to speed up the procedures of obtaining their licenses to start operations.
He said that the commission is looking to improve the services and gain customer satisfaction which can only be realized by activating partnerships between the government and private sectors, operators and organizers of tourist activities.
The Council of Ministers approved in its session on Monday held under the presidency of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman the SCTA’s obtaining of licenses for buildings which can be used to accommodate pilgrims on condition that they meet the requirements of the municipality and civil defense.
Additionally, the hotel operations have to meet the minimum requirements of hotel operations approved by the commission.