Pilgrimage To Mecca Becomes The Second Source Of Income For Saudi Arabia
Religious tourism is the second largest source of income behind the oil in Saudi Arabia. It is estimated that about 9 million pilgrims travel to Mecca and Medina each year for Hajj or Umrah, for making their pilgrimage obligation. A source of substantial income for the Wahhabi kingdom, estimated this year to more than 40 billion dollars.
Two million faithful are expected this week in Mecca for the annual pilgrimage. In one observation, out of 100%, only 30% of them are the residents of the Saudi kingdom, and the remaining one comes from abroad. According to a study by the Mecca Chamber of Commerce, pilgrims spend an average of 17,381 riyals, or $ 4,633, mostly on lodging, food, and accommodations.
Fulfilling The Spiritual Duties
Most people visited Saudi Arabia for considering both the big and the small pilgrimage, which can be done at any time of the year. It is estimated more than 9 million, the number of religious tourists welcomed each year into the kingdom. Six million faithful performed Umrah rites during the month of Ramadan. To face this challenge, Saudi Arabia has undertaken massive work.
However, 20 billion euros will be invested in rehabilitation projects in the Holy City. Dozens of hotels and apartment buildings are going to erect in the coming years. In this, do not mention the metro and a high-speed line. Last year, the number of pilgrims who came to celebrate Eid-ul Adha or performing Umrah and Hajj in Mecca had exceeded 3 million. Later on, the number had raised $16 billion, but Saudi preferred to reduce the number of foreign pilgrims by 20% because of ongoing work.
A Source Of Income That Is Progressing
If the Saudi state invests enormous amounts of money each year in expanding its mosques, schools and Islamic universities in the kingdom and around the world, then the return on investment is essential. The pilgrimage has become the source of income, which progresses every year.
Every Muslim is excited to visit Saudi Arabia and perform the small or large pilgrimage at least once in a blue moon. Under these conditions, it is expected that Mecca and Medina should welcome 20 million visitors in 2019. However, expected revenue of pilgrimage is about 90 billion dollars a year.
Final Verdict:
Saudi Arabia is famous for oil, but for a few years, the oil revenues are down sharply due to falling crude prices. As the guardian of the holy places, the Saudi monarchy also finds in these large gatherings a fundamentally religious and political legitimacy. So, they decided to the imposed a heavy fee in making the pilgrimage.
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