25 hospitality facilities shut down in Makkah over licensing and safety violations
The closures followed the discovery of several violations, including operating without a valid license, poor maintenance and cleanliness standards, and breaches related to guest safety.
The inspections are part of the ministry's ongoing efforts to verify that hospitality facilities meet all approved requirements and hold the necessary permits to operate.
The initiative aligns with the ministry's broader objective to enhance service quality for visitors and pilgrims during the busy Umrah and Hajj seasons.
The ministry emphasized the importance of all facilities adhering to Saudi Arabia's tourism regulations and executive bylaws. It warned that penalties for non-compliance could include fines of up to SR1 million, closure orders, or both.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing these rules to improve service standards, safeguard guests, and uphold the reputation of Makkah as a premier religious tourism destination.
© Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Zawya
20 minutes ago
- Zawya
Vatel Bahrain launches first MBA in International Hotel Management in the Kingdom
Bahrain: In response to growing demand for specialised leaders in the region's rapidly expanding tourism sector, Vatel Bahrain has launched the Kingdom's first MBA in International Hotel Management. The two-year postgraduate programme, approved by the Higher Education Council (HEC), is placed at level 7 of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and aligned with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) at level 9, offering students an internationally recognised pathway to senior roles in the hospitality and tourism sector locally, regionally and internationally. In line with the college's strategic goals, the MBA programme supports the objectives of Bahrain Vision 2030 and the Kingdom's Tourism Strategy 2022–2026 by empowering national talent in high-potential sectors and equipping them with professional knowledge, relevant skills, and leadership capabilities that enhance their contribution to sustainable economic development. Delivered entirely in English over two academic years, the programme is designed to engage students in a unique curriculum covering subjects such as Economy of Tourism and Hospitality, Marketing Strategy, Financial Analysis, Human Resources, Hospitality and Tourism Strategy, and language studies in English and French, honing their skills and enhancing industry readiness. Admission to the programme requires a bachelor's qualification in Hospitality or Hotel Management, or a bachelor's degree in any other discipline accompanied by a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience. Applicants must also successfully complete a personal interview as part of the selection process. Sheikh Khaled bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, General Director of Vatel Bahrain, affirmed that the introduction of this MBA programme—considered the first of its kind in the Kingdom—addresses the increasing need for skilled leadership in the hospitality and tourism industries across Bahrain and the wider region, while also executes Vatel Bahrain's strategic plan aimed at developing national and regional competencies to the highest standards by equipping them with professional skills, expertise and knowledge in the tourism field. Sheikh Khaled further added that the MBA programme has been meticulously developed to equip graduates with the professional knowledge, strategic acumen, and global perspective essential for assuming senior leadership roles within the tourism and hospitality sector. By seamlessly integrating academic rigour with practical industry experience and remaining attuned to evolving global trends, the programme seeks to address existing professional gaps and contribute meaningfully to enhancing the quality and competitiveness of hospitality services in Bahrain and the wider region. For more information, please contact: Zainab Ashoor | Marketing & Communications Specialist Al Jasra, Kingdom of Bahrain About Vatel Hospitality School: Vatel Hospitality School was established in France in 1981, specializing in business management within the hospitality and tourism sectors it has grown into a global network of over 55 campuses in 33 countries. The Bahrain campus, founded in 2018, is part of this global network. Vatel holds a distinguished international reputation, with over 45,000 graduates worldwide who have gone on to become leaders in the industry. Vatel has consistently been ranked first in France and 12th globally in hospitality management, according to the latest QS rankings, maintaining this position for four consecutive years.


The National
8 hours ago
- The National
Al Maqta'a Museum opens the gates to Abu Dhabi's humble beginnings
Tucked within the conserved heart of the Maqta Conservation Area, Al Maqta'a Museum, housed in the lovingly restored Al Maqta'a Fort, offers a glimpse into Abu Dhabi's early days. It is a reconstruction of the former customs house and police headquarters built in the late 1950s, alongside a causeway linking Abu Dhabi Island to the mainland, where officials monitored entry and traffic. It operated as such until 1971, when the unification of the UAE took place, since goods were then no longer required to be checked at this border. It reopened as a small, but information-packed, interactive museum celebrating its socio-cultural and historic importance in April 2025, as a joint project between Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Police. Why go there? This museum might be small, but its story is powerful. As part of Al Maqta Conservation Area, alongside the 18th-century Maqta'a Tower – constructed to strengthen the then-settlement's defences – and the original causeway from the 1950s, it tells the story of Abu Dhabi's transformation from a humble fishing settlement into a thriving modern metropolis. The tower still stands in the middle of the naturally formed waterway (the khor), conserved by DCT – Abu Dhabi to protect it from damage caused by repeated exposure to the marine environment. What you'll see The exhibit begins with a tour of Al Maqta'a Tower, which once guarded the shallow waters of the khor, guarding entry to Abu Dhabi Island. You'll also learn about other fortifications for defence, such as Al Hosn Tower. Moving into the 1950s-era customs house and police station, visitors encounter rugged gypsum‑and‑coral‑stone architecture and interactive zones that emphasise the fort's role as the gateway to the emirate. Highlights include vintage police vehicles, period uniforms and archival documentation that chart Abu Dhabi Police's development through time. A 1968 Toyota FJ43 Soft Top also sits in the museum, the same model of car once used for public transport in Abu Dhabi. This site sits within a broader heritage precinct along the old Maqta'a crossing, where you'll also find buildings and structures of the pre-oil and post-oil periods. Consider pairing your visit with a walk around the tower and nearby conservation structures. Replicas of the bridge and tower make for picturesque photo stops. Children's programming and live police shows, as well as seasonal activations, are also planned for the museum in coming months. Star attraction Right now, a temporary exhibition on Umm an-Nar sits beyond the lovely little gift shop, with an interactive screen that allows you to learn all about the archaeological site and what has been uncovered there in recent years. There's a map of a cemetery and you can click on each grave to learn more about the people buried there. It's fascinating. There's also a medieval Byzantine coin, the first to be found in Eastern Arabia, that was discovered during the tower's restoration by DCT Abu Dhabi – a significant find. What to know before you go This is a great spot for families, with a playground outside and the interactive exhibits are sure to keep older children from getting bored. Visitors are also handed a 'passport' to take around the exhibits, so you can stop at five stations to stamp the document as you go around. It's not an overly flashy space, but rich in narrative, and allows visitors to skim through the exhibits or dive deeper for further information if they want. You'll need at least an hour if you'd like to leisurely wander through and read everything. It's also worth grabbing a coffee and pastry or bite to eat at the restaurant, La Petite, which boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and lovely views of the khor beyond. Ticket price and location


The National
9 hours ago
- The National
Gulf Connections: The hills are alive with the sound of Arabic
Set in the Austrian Alps, the resort town of Zell Am See could have been plucked from The Sound of Music. Against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains, picturesque traditional buildings lead down to the clear blue waters of Lake Zell. In winter it attracts skiers from all over the world. In summer, bringing in the visitors needs a different approach. And that's when, more than 20 years ago, the Zell Am See tourist board hit upon a brilliant idea. Placing adverts in GCC countries, from Kuwait to Oman, the region soon began attracting Arab visitors in their tens of thousands, anxious to escape the punishing heat of an Arabian Gulf summer for the cool of the Alps. Rainy attraction The campaign succeeded beyond anyone's wildest dreams. Even cloudy weather and rain was an additional attraction. In 2006, the head of the local tourist board, Hans Wallner, speculated that 'for Arab tourists, I guess that water in various kinds – frozen as snow at the Kitzsteinhorn glacier and the high-quality water in Lake Zell are the main attractions'. By then, Arab visitors to the area represented about 10 per cent of the total − about 80,000 tourists. Two years later, it was 15 per cent and by 2013, over a third. They also spent, on average, €490 a day, compared with €160 a day by European tourists. Before the pandemic hit in 2020, it was estimated around 350,000 visitors from GCC countries were visiting Zell Am See during July and August. Post-covid anecdotal evidence suggests the area is as busy as ever. Arab Muslim visitors enjoy walking trails, boat trips and the chance to experience real snow by taking the mountain lifts, and local businesses have been quick to respond to their needs. Hotels cleared out the mini bar to offer alcohol-free rooms, while restaurants such as Ali Baba, Shiraz and Al Khalij offer Arab menus that are halal. Several shops also began offering products that appealed directly to Arab tastes. The Aydin Supermarket sells sweet treats like dates, halva and mamoul, along with spices, hummus and 'a wide selection of halal food'. More than a dozen stores and grocers in the town and in neighbouring Kaprun now cater for tourists from the Middle East. 'Tourism apartheid' Success also brings problems, though. Far-right political movements began to stir again in Austria, prompted in part by refugees from Iraq and Syria's civil wars. There were mutterings that Zell Am See was losing its Austrian character amid the huge number of Arab visitors. In 2014, the regional authorities, including the police and tourist board, issued a well-intentioned but heavy-handed booklet intended to help Middle East tourists better integrate with Austrian culture. Visitors were asked not eat meals on the floor, not haggle in shops and make sure their children wore car seatbelts. Most controversial it attempted to address women's clothing, saying: ' In our culture, we are accustomed to looking into the smiling face of the person opposite us in order to gain a first impression and build mutual trust. "It would be a great pleasure for us if you could join us in celebrating the uniquely joyful Austrian mentality and show your colourful scarves and dress and, in this way, show us your smile.' Described by one newspaper as 'tourism apartheid', it was withdrawn after only a few weeks, with officials admitting "unfortunately, certain passages led to misunderstandings'. More seriously, in 2017, the country passed a law banning full face coverings such as the burqa and niqab in public places. Aimed at conservative Muslim women, the law could not single them out specifically to avoid discrimination. Enforcement soon descended into chaos. Fines or warnings were issued to costumed mascots including a man dressed as shark promoting an electronics store, skiers and cyclists with scarves wrapped around their faces as protection against pollution. For Zell Am See and its Arab visitors the implications of the new law were potentially more serious. Fortunately for all, it appears the resort is quietly ignoring the rules; pragmatism outweighing politics. As Monika Oberschneider, who works in a sports shop renting snow boots to ill-prepared Gulf visitors, told an Austrian TV station last year: 'Every guest who comes pays our wages.'