Saudi Arabia Licenses Over 1.3 Million Beds for Hajj 2027, Excludes 400 Non-Compliant Buildings

More than 4,000 buildings provide approximately 400,000 rooms in Makkah and Madinah, while temporary accommodation facilities offer 560,000 beds to expand capacity and improve hospitality standards.

Saudi Arabia has completed licensing procedures for buildings designated to accommodate pilgrims during the 1448 AH Hajj season, corresponding to 2027, with a reported capacity exceeding 1.3 million beds.

The move forms part of early preparations to ensure accommodation facilities meet safety and quality standards.

Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb announced during the Hajj Conference and Exhibition 2026 in Jeddah on November 9 that more than 4,000 buildings, comprising approximately 400,000 rooms, had been designated for pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah.

Al-Khateeb revealed that approximately 400 buildings had been excluded from the pilgrim accommodation system for failing to meet safety and service quality requirements.

Inspections cover structural safety, emergency exits and operational standards, in coordination with relevant authorities, including Civil Defense.

The decision highlights increased regulatory oversight aimed at protecting pilgrims rather than focusing solely on expanding accommodation capacity.

The minister also reported that temporary accommodation facilities provide approximately 560,000 beds, helping expand housing options during the Hajj season.

However, published statements did not clarify whether this capacity is fully included in the overall figure of 1.3 million beds. The figures therefore should not be added together as separate capacities.

The conference also witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

The agreement aims to improve hospitality standards in Makkah and Madinah while strengthening coordination on licensing, operations and regulatory oversight.

Early licensing provides hospitality operators and Hajj missions with greater clarity regarding announced accommodation capacity, while excluding non-compliant buildings reinforces the importance of pilgrim safety.

However, licensing does not necessarily mean that all facilities are operational or immediately available for booking.

There is also no confirmed evidence that these measures will reduce accommodation prices.