It’s part of the country’s goal to improve the pilgrimage experience for devotees and ease access to the religious landmark
Holy city
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coronavirus restrictions
Saudi Arabia lifts Covid vaccine requirements for Umrah pilgrims
Saudi Minister of Hajj said the pilgrims from Turkey will also excluded from any requirements related to age limits
Hajj and Umrah
Saudi Arabia launches digital platform to offer improved services to Hajj and Umrah pilgrims
NUSUK – will offer more than 121 services to facilitate procedures for the arrival of pilgrims from all over the world, with easy and convenient procedures
AI algorithms
Saudi Arabia developing new AI algorithms for crowd management at Holy Sites
Director of Public Security at the Ministry of Interior tells Global AI Summit in Riyadh that technology will be key as the Kingdom gets ready to welcome more pilgrims
Hajj
Video: Here’s how the Hajj has changed amid the coronavirus pandemic
In 2019, more than 1.8 million foreigners performed the Hajj pilgrimage. This year, Saudi Arabia barred Muslims living abroad from taking part due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Accident
35 foreign pilgrims killed in Saudi bus crash
Accident involved a collision between ‘a private chartered bus… with a heavy vehicle (loader)’ near Medina
CBRE
Makkah tourism success set to impact real estate demand
CBRE says short-term residential demand in Makkah will continue to be focused on smaller size units
Grand Mosque
Tributes following death of Saudi Arabia’s Prince Bandar bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud
Prayers to be held on Monday, following Isha prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah
Hajj
Hotel operator explores legal options over Makkah dispute
Millennium Hotels and Resorts apologises to guests at Makkah Millennium Hotel and Towers amid dispute with property’s owner
Holy city
Saudi media accuses Yemen rebels of missile fire at Makkah
Yemeni rebels accused of targeting Islam’s holiest city after Riyadh and its allies said they had intercepted two missiles over the kingdom
Alex Kyriakidis
Marriott inks deal to return Sheraton brand to Saudi holy city
Set to open in 2023, Sheraton Taiba Hotel, Madinah will comprise 268 rooms
Hajj
Dubai fit-out firm wins major Saudi hotels deal
MMAC Design Associates has been appointed as interior designer on two large multiple brand 5, 4 and 3 star hotel projects in Saudi Arabia
Grand Mosque expansion Makkah
In pictures: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman visits Makkah Grand Mosque
HRH Prince Mohammed Bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Minister of Defence, and Vice President of the Council of Ministers visit to review the status of the Saudi holy city of Makkah Grand Mosque current expansion project.
Holy city
Makkah developer struggles to lure investors amid slowdown
Makkah-based Jabal Omar Development Co’s stock has lost about 40% this year as slowdown hits real estate market
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Alex Kyriakidis
Marriott opens world’s largest Four Points by Sheraton in Makkah
The hotel giant aims to double its 24 hotels in Saudi Arabia over the next five years in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030
H Hotel
Abu Dhabi firm picked to run new luxury Makkah hotel
Saudi developer Jabal Omar Development Company says that H Hospitality Collection will manage its new five-star hotel in Saudi holy city
Five Pillars of Islam
In pictures: Muslims pilgrims begin the hajj spiritual journey
Millions of Muslims head to Makkah and Madinah, Islam’s two holiest city to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage, one of the world’s biggest displays of mass religious devotion.