Latest news with #MadinahRegion
Zawya
10 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Number of visitors to Madinah jumps 18.7% in 3 years, reaching 18mln in 2024
MADINAH - The tourism sector in Madinah has witnessed significant growth of 18.7 percent in visitor numbers over the past three years, receiving more than 18 million visitors in 2024, compared with 14.1 million in 2023 and 8.2 million in 2022. According to a report issued on Wednesday by the Madinah Chamber of Commerce, activities related to accommodation, travel agencies, and tour operations recorded an 18.7 percent increase in 2024 compared to the previous year. The report highlighted the sector's vital role in supporting economic growth and increasing the gross domestic product (GDP) through tourism spending on lodging, transportation, shopping, and other services, while also creating job opportunities in tourism-related activities and contributing to sustainable economic diversification. The chamber report outlined the key assets of Madinah's tourism sector, noting that the city is home to around 400 religious, historical, and cultural landmarks that attract visitors from across the globe. These include the Prophet's Mosque, major historic mosques, various museums and exhibitions, modern tourist destinations, and restored historical sites open to the public, such as valleys, wells, and archaeological locations—forming a major driver for tourism development in the region. © Copyright 2022 The Saudi Gazette. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Arab News
10-06-2025
- General
- Arab News
National Water Co. ready for post-Hajj season
MADINAH: The National Water Co. has confirmed it is operationally ready for the post-Hajj season. The company said it would distribute more than 630,000 cubic meters of potable water daily to pilgrims at the Prophet's Mosque and throughout Madinah and said its readiness built on ongoing efforts to serve pilgrims and visitors. The plan involves more than 1,200 employees, including technical, administrative and engineering staff, working to provide water and environmental services. The company added the plan included securing water storage and coordinating with water production and distribution systems, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Water will be supplied daily during the post-Hajj season through continuous pumping to the central area and religious sites. Chemical and biological tests will be conducted to ensure compliance with water quality standards. The company said its smart operation system continues to manage and monitor Madinah's water network, overseeing water pressure and quality in pipelines and reservoirs.
Asharq Al-Awsat
09-06-2025
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Madinah Prepares for Air Departures as Pilgrims Head Home Post-Hajj
Government entities in the Madinah Region have begun seeing off pilgrims returning to their home countries through the Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, after performing Hajj this year with ease and tranquility. Following Hajj, large numbers of pilgrims are arriving in Madinah to pray at the Prophet's Mosque and extend their greetings to Prophet Muhammad and his two companions. To streamline their departure, a program has been implemented to facilitate their transfer from residences to the airport, the Saudi Press Agency said on Monday. The program is overseen by the Hajj and Visit Committee in the region and relevant entities to ensure the orderly and timely departure of flights to various destinations. Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport achieved notable success during the pre-Hajj phase, efficiently handling the Hajj flights. During the arrival period, the airport received 719,400 pilgrims, accounting for 49% of pilgrims arriving by air to the Kingdom this Hajj season. Starting from 1 Dhul-Qi'dah, 1,910 flights carrying pilgrims from 196 cities in 53 countries arrived at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, operated by 65 airlines. This accounted for 60% of all Hajj flights received by Saudi airports during the arrival phase.
Arab News
01-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Madinah leads regional growth with 24% construction employment in Q1
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's Madinah region recorded strong first quarter growth in 2025, led by 24 percent workforce participation in construction and 20 percent in trade, signaling diversification momentum. A recent report by the Madinah Chamber of Commerce outlines the region's sectoral distribution, with construction continuing to dominate amid a surge in infrastructure projects, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The wholesale, retail trade, and vehicle maintenance sector, which accounted for 20 percent of the workforce, continued to thrive, demonstrating strong commercial activity and consumer demand. This segment's high employment rate underscores Madinah's role as a regional trading hub. The manufacturing sector, representing 12 percent of the workforce, showed growth that indicates the emergence of a stronger industrial base, contributing to economic diversification and reducing reliance on oil-related industries. Tourism, with an 11.2 percent workforce share, remained a key sector for Madinah as a destination for religious tourism, benefiting from a steady influx of pilgrims. The sector's workforce expansion aligns with increased investment in hospitality, transportation, and tourism-related services, the SPA report added. The chairman of the chamber, Mazen bin Ibrahim Rajab, emphasized the focus on improving the business environment by leveraging Madinah's economic strengths and investment opportunities. The report situated Madinah's growth within broader economic trends. In 2024, the worldwide economic growth reached 3.2 percent, supported by a rebound in foreign direct investment, while inflation declined to 4.5 percent, signaling improving economic stability. The Kingdom's gross domestic product grew by 4.4 percent in 2024, with non-oil sectors expanding by 5.9 percent. Madinah contributed significantly to this trend, recording a 2.8 percent increase in its GDP, reaching SR57.6 billion ($15.3 billion) in the third quarter of 2024. The report showed that Madinah recorded the second-highest domestic demand growth in Saudi Arabia at 11 percent, trailing only Riyadh. Additionally, foreign direct investment in the Kingdom surged by 36.6 percent in the third quarter 2024, reaching SR16 billion, with Madinah attracting a notable share due to its expanding industrial and commercial opportunities. The report also highlighted Madinah's booming real estate and infrastructure sectors with property transactions in 2024 totaling SR10 billion, reflecting strong investor confidence. The job market improved significantly, with unemployment dropping from 10.3 percent in the third quarter of 2024 to 8.4 percent in the following three-month period, thanks to new employment opportunities across key sectors. A total of 213 development projects, valued at over SR210 billion, are currently in progress, according to the report. These include 153 commercial projects, 27 mixed-use residential and commercial developments and other projects in healthcare, education, tourism, and religious infrastructure. These initiatives are expected to generate more than 119,000 jobs, further boosting Madinah's economic prospects.
Arab News
31-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Madinah leads Saudi organic aromatics market
RIYADH: Madinah has solidified its position as the Kingdom's largest producer of organic aromatic plants, contributing 78 tonnes — 26.4 percent of the national total of 296 tonnes. This reflects the region's strong agricultural productivity and its key role in medicinal and aromatic plant cultivation, the Saudi Press Agency reported. A recent report by the Madinah Chamber of Commerce detailed the national landscape, showing Qassim as the second-largest producer with 15.9 percent, followed by Riyadh with 14.9 percent and Jazan with 14.7 percent. Together, these four regions account for approximately 72 percent of the Kingdom's total organic medicinal and aromatic plant production, the SPA reported. The report outlined cultivated areas, with Madinah leading at 37 hectares, followed by Qassim with 36, Riyadh with 35, and Jazan with 34 hectares — underscoring strong regional competition in the sector. Madinah mint was identified as the region's most prominent organic aromatic plant, valued for its strong aroma and distinctive flavor, according to the SPA. Its cultivation is deeply rooted in the region's agricultural heritage and presents attractive investment opportunities at various scales. Other aromatic plants grown in Madinah include basil, henna, and moringa. The report also highlighted broader investment opportunities within the aromatic plant production sector.
