CONNECTIVITY: DESTINATIONS •
Saudi Arabia aims to welcome 30 million Hajj and Umrah pilgrims annually
SAUDI RELIGIOUS TOURISM IN NUMBERS 1.7MN+ Hajj pilgrims in 2026 1.55MN+ External Hajj pilgrims in 2026 30MN Annual Hajj and Umrah pilgrim target by 2030. 218,000+ Hotel rooms, branded residences and serviced apartments planned across major developments in Makkah and Madinah 105,000+ Hotel rooms under construction or in advanced planning 300 KM/H Top operating speed of the Haramain High-Speed Railway. 2.8BN Projected global Muslim population by 2050
MADINAH’S HOSPITALITY MOMENT Madinah is undergoing its own evolution too. For many pilgrims, a visit to the Prophet’s Mosque, Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, is an essential extension of the journey, and demand for accommodation, transport, retail, food and cultural experiences in the Holy City continues to rise. Rua Al Madinah is one of the most important projects in this next phase. Backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the development is designed to create a modern hotel and commercial ecosystem near the Prophet’s Mosque, with the ambition of helping Madinah accommodate 30 million visitors by 2030. The project also aims to incorporate cultural, entertainment and religious museums, pointing to a broader interpretation of religious travel: not only performing rituals, but deepening understanding of Islamic history and Saudi heritage. Knowledge Economic City is another major facet of Madinah’s future. Its hospitality programme includes agreements with international hotel groups and brands across different market tiers, reflecting the need for broader accommodation choice.
The result is a city where hotel development is moving beyond bed count alone. Operators and investors are looking at proximity, crowd flows, family room configurations, group logistics, food and beverage, accessibility, healthcare support and the ability to serve different spending segments, from budget-conscious pilgrims to premium religious travellers. This is a crucial point for the B2B market. Religious tourism is often assumed to be purely price-driven. In reality, the market is segmenting quickly. Some pilgrims want affordability and simplicity. Others want branded hotels, private transfers, multilingual assistance, curated ziyarat visits, premium dining or extended stays to discover more of Saudi. Many families are willing to spend more for convenience, particularly when travelling with elderly relatives or children. That is why the Holy Cities are attracting such strong hotel interest. Knight Frank’s pipeline data points to the breadth of development underway, with major projects including Rua Al Haram, Rua Al Madinah, Dar Al Hijrah Pilgrim City, Knowledge Economic City, Masar Makkah and Thakher Makkah.
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