Saudi Arabia counts profits from Hajj
Saudi Arabia has earned 5.2 billion riyals ($1.38 billion) from spending by foreign pilgrims during this year’s Hajj to the Muslim holy sites.
The 1.4 million foreign pilgrims who flocked to Makka spent 1.4 billion riyals ($373.3 million) on accommodation, according to a survey cited by the Arab News English daily on Monday.
Two billion riyals ($533.3 million) went on air transport, of which 20% went to the kingdom’s national airline and the remainder on other services and gifts.
Foreign currency dealers did brisk business as banks were closed during the Hajj period, while pharmacies were helped by the colder than usual weather, said the paper.
Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam and is the duty of every Muslim with the physical and financial means.
A total of about two million pilgrims – foreign and resident – took part in this year’s Hajj, according to Saudi authorities.