Saudi Arabia Implements Extended Umrah Tourism Programme

20 May 2014

Saudi Arabia has implemented the ‘Extended Umrah Tourism Programme’ that allows the visitors of 65 nations to stay in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) after Umrah. This program has received backing from major hospitality industry figures.

Raki Phillips, Area Director of Sales and Marketing at Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, said that Extended Umrah Tourism Programme will influence the hospitality industry in a positive way as regards revenue and occupation. 

Senior consultant at TRI Consulting, Chris Hewett said that the Extended Umrah Tourism Programme’ is a positive move, because of the reason that the religious market is centered at the two major holy cities of Madinah and Makkah. This programme will provide a chance for the neighboring markets to grab this demand even as the religious visitors travel around the cultural and historical attractions across the country.

Mahmoud Mokhtar Vice President Operations – KSA, at Hilton Worldwide, said that KSA has made a great advancement in the development of the infrastructure of the country, upgrading the airline routes and transport and resulting in growth in the feasible plans for the visitors.

He has expressed hope that the commitment of KSA towards the development of viable tourism sector will have a positive influence on the growth of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a business and tourist destination internationally as well as locally. 

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