Jeddah, June 21: Saudi Arabia is expected to generate 13 billion Saudi riyals (Dh12.73 billion) during this Umrah season, a key figure that will help strengthen the country’s status as the top tourist destination and a leading hotel market in the Middle East.
Around 3.5 million pilgrims are expected to visit the Kingdom during this Umrah season.
Religious tourism in Saudi Arabia, which generates around $7 billion (Dh26 billion) annually, achieved 30 per cent growth in the first quarter of 2009, according to recent statistics.
The government has allocated $38 billion to invest in tourism infrastructure and transport systems, including a high-speed railway that will link Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah, three key travel destinations.
Meanwhile, the Elaf Group of Companies, a business organisation serving the Saudi Arabian travel, tourism and hotel industries, recently launched a major expansion initiative in the hotel sector, driven by the significant surge in religious tourism.
Accordingly, to complement the religious tourism sector’s robust growth, Elaf has strengthened its presence in the three cities by launching a string of five new hotels as part of a 1.25-billion riyal investment by the Saudi Economic and Development Company of which the Elaf Group is a subsidiary to develop various hospitality and tourism projects.
Tarek Nabulsi, deputy CEO of Elaf Group of Companies, said: “Global travel has become more affordable now … [and has] contributed to the significant increase in the number of Umrah pilgrims and the strong growth of the Saudi tourist market.
“Accordingly, Elaf intends to cater to the new requirements of the burgeoning religious tourism sector by expanding our portfolio of hotel facilities.”
-Agencies