Redevelopment of Makkah sees pilgrim numbers drop

REDEVELOPMENT PLANS: The number of expats from Qatar travelling to perform Umrah has dropped from last year. (Getty Images)

The number of expatriates from Qatar travelling to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah has dropped dramatically following the Saudi government’s decision to stop issuing visas due to redevelopment work in Makkah.

Every year during Ramadan, Saudi Arabia witnesses a surge in passenger traffic but industry sources have reported a dip in traffic this year and all airlines operating in the sector have been hit, Qatari daily The Peninsula reported on Sunday.

“A major portion of our Ramadan customers are those travelling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah. This year we have only Qatari passengers, since they do not require a visa for the pilgrimage,” an official at a leading travel agency in Qatar was quoted as saying.

Saudi authorities have stopped issuing Umrah visas in view of the massive expansion work going on in the holy sites in Makkah.

Makkah municipal authorities have served notice to over 300 buildings and hotels for demolition as part of the Saudi government’s plan to redevelop the east side of the Makkah Harem Area.

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