Travel guide producer Frommer’s has ranked Jeddah-King Abduaziz International Airport’s Hajj Terminal as one of the world’s top 10 most beautiful terminals. Frommer’s – which notes that it becomes one of the world’s busiest terminals during the Hajj pigrimage when millions of pilgrims make their way to the Muslim holy
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No accommodation crisis in Makkah, says MCCI
Nada Al-Maddah Saudi Gazette MAKKAH — The Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) has denied rumors about an artificial accommodation crisis created by tourism service providers in the holy city. The MCCI said Umrah companies have not been harmed by the high occupancy rates in accommodation facilities in the
Umrah and tourist visas may be linked in future
JEDDAH — Crown Prince Naif has given the ministries of Haj and Foreign Affairs the go-ahead to work on an integrated system to link Umrah and tourist visas, Prince Sultan Bin Salman, president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), announced Tuesday. Addressing a debate organized by Okaz
Applying for a UK Emergency Travel Document (ETD)
The FCO has produced a video aimed at assisting British nationals when travelling abroad. The key messaging within these focuses on preventing losing personal property when abroad, with a particular focus on the loss of passports in Spain, Portugal and Italy. There is also an additional video providing travellers with information
Six cable car routes planned for Makkah
The Center of Excellence for Haj and Umrah Research at Umm Al-Qura University has recommended the introduction of cable cars linking the Grand Mosque with three areas of the holy city. The recommendation is part of the center’s study on the feasibility of introducing technology such as cable cars to
Bawabat Makkah Project – Makkah Gate
Bawabat Makkah is a visionary new city to be built on the western edge of the Makkah Holy Region straddling the Heal boundary line along Jeddah – Makkah Highway. The area of the City covers approximately 86 square kilometers of land and will house an estimated population of approximately 690,000
Umrah tourism gets big boost
Prince-Sultan-bin-Salman Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), yesterday estimated the total value of tourism projects in the Kingdom at SR 290 billion, including railway projects. Addressing a joint responsibility forum organized by Okaz, he said Crown Prince Naif, deputy premier and
Makkah Gate project launched
Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal laid the foundation stone yesterday for the western suburbs of the Makkah Gate project along the Jeddah-Makkah Expressway. Covering an area of 1.5 million sq. meters, it is the first project of Makkah Gate Company (MGC). Makkah Mayor Osama Al-Bar, chairman of MGC, thanked Prince
‘Innovative’ tourism approach needed
Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal has called for making use of international expertise and experiences when organizing summer festivals. “We have to develop top-class tourism products in order to compete with other countries,” the governor said while launching Jeddah Ghair festival on Wednesday. Prince Khaled was happy with the festivities
Saudi folk dancers perform in British Consulate event
British consul general Mohammed Shokat (3rd from left) and British community in Jeddah celebrated the diamond jubilee. (AN) Saudi folk singers and dancers from the group Bahara performed at the British consulate premises on Friday to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II. British Consul General Mohammed Shokat was present. A