JAKARTA - The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah plans to turn the lobbies of hotel accommodations for pilgrims in Mecca and Medina into Indonesian specialty food outlets and service outlets.
Director General of the Development of the Hajj and Umrah Economic Ecosystem at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Jaenal Effendi, said that there were around 280 hotels that were fully rented by the Indonesian government for this year's hajj season.
His party sees a great opportunity to utilize the hotel lobby area, which has been less productive, into a commercial area that is beneficial for Indonesian pilgrims and diaspora.
"Sometimes the pilgrims miss the dishes that are not on the Hajj catering menu, for example meatballs, coffee, or rawon. So in this lobby we will make tenants," said Jaenal as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, January 27.
Jaenal emphasized that the priority of the outlets would be given to Indonesian people living in Saudi Arabia or the diaspora as well as business actors from the country.
In addition to food, the area will also be filled by national logistics companies such as PT Pos Indonesia, JNE, and others to serve the delivery of goods for pilgrims.
"Who are the residents? It is our people in Saudi Arabia or our business actors. So they really enjoy it," said Jaenal.
Currently, the Ministry of Manpower is finalizing regulations and permits with local authorities so that the operation of these outlets can run orderly and legally.
Because the hotel has been rented in full or block, the use of the lobby is the right of the tenant as long as it does not violate safety and order rules.
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