Indonesia to Transform Hajj Hotel Lobbies into Culinary, Service Hubs

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is preparing to convert hotel lobbies used by Indonesian pilgrims in Mecca and Medina into vibrant spaces featuring Indonesian culinary outlets and service counters.

The Ministry's Director General of Hajj and Umrah Economic Ecosystem Development, Jaenal Effendi, said the Indonesian government has fully leased around 280 hotels for this year’s pilgrimage season. 

He noted that the lobbies, often underutilized, present an opportunity to create commercial areas that benefit both pilgrims and the Indonesian diaspora.

“Pilgrims sometimes miss dishes not included in the catering menu, such as bakso, coffee, or rawon. So we plan to set up tenants in these lobbies,” Jaenal said during a briefing at Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory in Jakarta on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Priority for these outlets, he emphasized, will be given to Indonesian residents in Saudi Arabia and entrepreneurs from Indonesia. Beyond food, the lobbies will also host national logistics companies such as PT Pos Indonesia and JNE to provide delivery services for pilgrims.

“The tenants will be our own people, either Indonesians living in Saudi Arabia or businesses from home, so they can truly benefit from this initiative,” Jaenal added.

The ministry is currently finalizing regulations and permits with local authorities to ensure the operations run smoothly and legally. Since the hotels are fully leased by Indonesia, the use of lobby areas falls under the rights of the tenant, provided safety and public order are maintained. ***