The new Umra (lesser pilgrimage) system in Saudi Arabia is expected to yield SR40 billion ($11 billion) annually, making it the kingdom's second biggest income earner after oil, said economic sources.
Around four million Muslims are expected to perform Umra in the first year of the new system, which extends the Umra season to nine months and allows visitors to Saudi Arabia to tour all cities of the kingdom, the sources said, quoted by the Gulf News on Wednesday.
The new system, which started on April 25, will increase the occupancy rates of 130 hotels and 7,000 housing units in Mecca, the sources explained.
The sources said that the new system would open investments in all Saudi cities by allowing Umra pilgrims to visit all the cities in the kingdom in coordination with the tour operator who brought them in.
“All Umra-related sectors, ports and diplomatic offices of the kingdom have been linked by a computer network, so that transportation and facilities offered to a visitor will be arranged upon the issuance of the visa,” said Mohammed Saleh, the undersecretary of the Haj (Pilgrimage) ministry for Umra affairs – Albawaba.com
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