Experts have identified several factors that will contribute to the recovery of the accommodation and support services sector in the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah with the coming month of Ramadan.
The operation of the Haramain Train is among the main factors that will contribute to the revitalization of travel to and from the two cities, in addition to the rapid vaccination campaign, with more than 3 million people inoculated so far, according to recent figures published by the Saudi Health Ministry.
Hotels in Makkah and Madinah constitute 75 percent of the total hotels operating in Saudi Arabia, with 1,151 licensed hotels in Makkah having around 450,000 rooms, and about 75,000 rooms in Madinah. These businesses are greatly relied on to revive other economic sectors, especially in light of the recession that was caused by the total and partial lockdown in the Kingdom.
According to experts, transportation, restaurants, and retail outlets will see some improvement in the two cities during the holy month of Ramadan, as occupancy rates are expected to increase and reach their peak in the last ten days of the month.
This optimism comes a few days after the Saudi government presented a package of initiatives to support investors and economic establishments operating in the Hajj and Umrah sector.
Economic Expert Marwan Al-Sharif noted that the operation of the Haramain train would constitute an important factor in reviving the economy in the two cities, with the increase in the number of pilgrims.
He also pointed to the importance of precautionary measures that the train administration would take to ensure the safety of passengers and to prevent the spread of the virus.
