Intensive monitoring efforts to ensure the comfort and safety of visitors
As part of ongoing efforts to ensure the highest quality services for visitors to Madinah, the Ministry of Tourism, in cooperation with the Saudi Water Authority, has launched a joint field inspection campaign targeting tourist hospitality facilities in the region. This campaign, part of a comprehensive action plan, has so far included 47 inspection tours aimed at verifying the quality of services provided and ensuring the safety of water supplies, in preparation for welcoming pilgrims during religious seasons, most notably the holy month of Ramadan and the Hajj season.
General context: In line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030
These monitoring campaigns fall within the broader context adopted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, namely achieving the goals of Vision 2030, of which the Hajj, Umrah, and tourism sector is a key pillar. The Vision aims to comprehensively improve the experience of pilgrims, Umrah performers, and visitors by enhancing the quality of infrastructure and services provided in the two holy cities of Mecca and Medina. Medina, with its immense religious and historical significance, is a destination for millions of Muslims annually, placing a significant responsibility on government agencies to ensure that visitors' stays are safe, comfortable, and befitting the sanctity of the place.
The importance of the campaign and its expected impact
These tours are of paramount importance on several levels. Locally, they contribute to raising the compliance and readiness of hotels and residential units with approved standards, thus enhancing the reputation of the tourism sector in Madinah and ensuring a healthy and safe environment for all. Internationally, these proactive measures send a reassuring message to millions of visitors worldwide, underscoring the Kingdom's commitment to providing the highest standards of safety and hospitality. Ensuring the quality of drinking water, for example, is vital for disease prevention and directly contributes to enabling pilgrims to perform their rituals with ease and peace of mind.
Details of the complementary roles of the participating entities
The campaign is characterized by the integrated roles of the participating entities. The Ministry of Tourism's inspection teams are responsible for monitoring hospitality facilities' compliance with approved regulations and assessing the quality of services provided to guests. Meanwhile, the Saudi Water Authority's technical teams focus on inspecting water supplies, reservoirs, and distribution networks within these facilities, while also collecting random samples for laboratory analysis to ensure their conformity with national drinking water quality standards. Both entities affirmed that these efforts will continue and are planned to be expanded to include other cities and regions in the Kingdom, continuing their collaborative approach aimed at enhancing the quality and sustainability of tourism services.
