Indonesian govt offers premium Medina hotels to regular pilgrims

Madinah (ANTARA) - Indonesia said nearly 17,000 regular Hajj pilgrims would stay in four-star and five-star hotels in Medina, marking the first time such accommodation has been provided under the regular pilgrimage scheme.

"For the first time in our Hajj management history, around 17,000 regular pilgrims have access to four-star and five-star hotels," Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak said.

Simanjuntak made the remarks after inspecting facilities at the Millennium Al Aqeeq Hotel in Medina on Saturday ahead of the second arrival phase.

He said a total of 16,904 Indonesian pilgrims under the regular scheme would begin arriving in Medina on Sunday.

According to Simanjuntak, the government has prepared accommodation near the Prophet's Mosque for pilgrims.

The hotels include Millennium Al Aqeeq, Hilton, Makarem and Front Taiba, he said.

Simanjuntak said such hotels were previously used mainly by pilgrims traveling under special arrangements.

He said the Millennium Al Aqeeq Hotel is located about 50 meters from the Prophet's Mosque.

According to Simanjuntak, the hotel offers high-quality facilities capable of accommodating Indonesian pilgrims.

Regarding room allocation, he said accommodation officers had been asked to prioritize pilgrims with special needs.

"If possible, I want these better facilities prioritized for elderly pilgrims," he said.

He also called for all facilities and services to be fully prepared before regular pilgrims arrive.

"Improving service quality is part of the government's efforts to improve Hajj management," Simanjuntak said.

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Translator: Citro Atmoko, Tegar Nurfitra

Editor: Rahmad Nasution

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