Saudi Arabia has golden opportunity to capitalise on Hajj tourism

This may require some creative marketing and certainly would not target all pilgrims, but many could be interested in staying and adding more stops during their visit

Axel Rangel Garcia

This may require some creative marketing and certainly would not target all pilgrims, but many could be interested in staying and adding more stops during their visit.

Saudi Arabia has golden opportunity to capitalise on Hajj tourism

Amer Ziab Al-Tamimi

last update on 27 Jun 2023

Visiting holy places is one of the most important rituals and customs of mankind since the beginning of creation. All worshippers whether Jews, Christians, and Muslims, and also those following non-monotheistic religions such as Hindus and Buddhists, have their own respective holy sites and visiting rituals are an important component of their faith.

The Hajj (pilgrimage) is one of the most important pillars of the Islamic religion. It is considered mandatory for every Muslim whose health and finances permit him/her to make the trip.

The logistics of visiting the holy sites of Mecca and Medina have naturally evolved since the beginning of Islamic history in the 7th century.

During the past few years, Hajj rituals have become a lot easier and the troubles and difficulties faced by Hajj pilgrims – who come from all corners of the world and include rich and poor – have been eased.

Upgraded facilities equipped with modern technologies and artificial intelligence have made it easier for pilgrims to perform their Hajj rituals.

This year Mecca received around two million pilgrims marking a return to pre-covid numbers. Muslims from 57 countries performed Hajj this year. Each country is allocated a specific percentage of pilgrims correlating to its respective Muslim population.

Diana Estefania Rubio

Hajj tourism integral to Kingdom's economy

While the massive number of pilgrims represents a huge administrative, security and logistical responsibility bore by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it also provides a tourist and consumer boost, uplifting several sectors of the country's economy.

While the massive number of pilgrims represents a huge administrative, security and logistical responsibility bore by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, it also provides a tourist and consumer boost, uplifting several sectors of the country's economy.

The Hajj is an important part of the process of economic diversification and stimulating tourism, just as religious tourism is important to several other countries around the world.

The Saudi government has invested considerable funds to develop the infrastructure and facilities of the Grand Mosque and has encouraged the private sector to provide many hotels and hospitality facilities to accommodate visiting pilgrims.

30 million visitors in 2030

The large number of Muslims, estimated in 2023 at 2 billion worldwide or about 25% of the world's population, reflects the significant number of pilgrims seeking to perform the duty annually.

The majority of pilgrims come from Asian countries, where Muslims make up about 67% of the world's Muslims. There are also a big number of African Muslims, as well as residents of Arab countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

The large footfall to the Ka'aba, not only during Hajj, but year-round, means that there is a huge demand for adequate accommodation. According to a report published in Asharq Al-Awsat on 11 June, there are around "1,151 hotels in Mecca with 450,000 hotel rooms and about 75,000 rooms in Medina."

Reuters — The Hajj season is being held this year without any restrictions in terms of numbers or ages of pilgrims, after three years of limited numbers due to the Covid pandemic.

Work is underway to complete new hotels in both cities to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims expected to reach 30 million pilgrims for Hajj and Umrah annually in 2030, as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. This means that Hajj and Umrah revenues could reach a whopping $50bn annually, constituting an average spend of $1,700 per pilgrim.

Work is underway to complete new hotels in Mecca and Medina to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims expected to reach 30 million in 2030, as part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. This means that Hajj and Umrah revenues could reach a whopping $50bn annually.

Economic diversification

Upgrading the Hajj experience and streamlining processes and transportation remains top priority for Saudi officials. As mentioned, huge investments have already been made to upgrade facilities, roads and transportation, culminating in a high-speed railway.

These are long-term investments that will yield positive returns, promote economic transformation, and diversify the economic base.

Of course, there are requirements for developing services and upskilling those working in these services. The sector employs many Saudi nationals, estimated to total about 351,000 in 2019, i.e. before the Covid-19 pandemic.

AFP — Saudi conductor Raneem Azzouz, drives a high-speed train ferrying pilgrims to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah, on January 22, 2023.

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development is making efforts to upskill workers in the sector through targeted training and education programmes and specific actions such as the provision of reception services and the provision of healthcare services.

In this capacity, Hajj remains integral to the development of Saudi Arabia's economic ecosystem. But is there a further opportunity to capitalise on where Hajj and Umrah pilgrims can be attracted to visit other areas of Saudi Arabia such as archaeological sites and beach resorts?

This may require some creative marketing and certainly would not target all pilgrims (most pilgrims come through Hajj facilitator programmes in their respective countries), but there is a significant number of pilgrims who may be interested in adding more stops to their visit to Saudi Arabia.

AFP — Hot Air Balloon Festival over Mada'in Saleh (Hegra) ancient site, AlUla, Saudi Arabia. was taken in 2020.

Upon returning back home, these pilgrims could then become ambassadors of Saudi tourism in their respective countries.

In the past 50 years, it is believed that more than 95 million pilgrims have visited Saudi Arabia, 25 million of which visited in the past 12 years, according to the General Authority for Statistics in Saudi Arabia.

With long-term planning and creative marketing, the Kingdom can further capitalise on its religious tourism to attract visitors who will stay after Hajj to explore the rest of what the country has to offer.

+ / -