KSA to focus on Haj and Umrah for revenue

Saudi Arabia expects to welcome 2.7 million foreign Haj pilgrims annually by 2020.

Saudi Arabia plans to strengthen its Haj and Umrah service sector as part of a diversification strategy and reduce dependence on oil, according to local news sources.

Economists consider Haj and Umrah as vital sectors with significant growth potential, while analysts have emphasised that Haj and Umrah represent the second most important economic sector after oil and gas.

"As a result of ongoing expansion projects, the number of Haj and Umrah pilgrims is expected to increase by not less than 30 percent during the next five years," said economist Abdullah Katib.

The tourism sector contributes US $22.6 billion (SR85 billion) to the gross domestic product (GDP) with Haj and Umrah providing $12 billion (SR45 billion).

With the completion of expansion projects at the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah, the revenue from the sector is expected to double.

The total number of pilgrims who come for Haj and Umrah is estimated at between 7.3 million to 7.5 million.