Hospitality in the spotlight at Hajj Expo 2023 in Jeddah

Hospitality in the spotlight at Hajj Expo 2023 in Jeddah
As the number of pilgrims visiting Makkah continues to increase, crowd management and hospitality are important issues that demand constant attention. (AN photo by Adnan Mahdaly)
Short Url
Updated 12 January 2023
Follow

Hospitality in the spotlight at Hajj Expo 2023 in Jeddah

Hospitality in the spotlight at Hajj Expo 2023 in Jeddah
  • Hajj, Umrah services commander says Hajj Metro to be fully operational this season
  • Participants focus discussion on crowd management, among other important issues

JEDDAH: Crowd management and hospitality were the subjects of discussion on the third day of Hajj Expo 2023 in Jeddah.

The first panel, Transportation Services and Crowd Management: Effectiveness and Safety, shed light on the importance of the well-being of pilgrims and Umrah performers.

It also touched upon the effectiveness and quality of services provided by the various means of transportation.

Speakers included Fawaz Al-Matihi, the commander of Special Forces for Hajj and Umrah Security; Rayan Al-Harbi, the vice president of Saudi Arabia Railways; and Ghassan Iraqi, general manager at the Saudi Public Transport Co.

Al-Matihi said: “The Grand Mosque in Makkah is visited by huge crowds from around the world, and safety comes first.

“How do we achieve that? Through crowd management, to ensure that these crowds reach their destinations safely during Hajj rituals.” 




This photo shows one of King Abdulaziz’s American cars, which he used during his Hajj inspection trips in 1934. (AN photo by Adnan Mahdaly)

Al-Matihi added that every zone at the Grand Mosque had a limited capacity, and that had to be taken into account by the presence of gates, escalators, entrances, and bridges.

“The existing services and arrival times for dropping pilgrims from different methods of transport will be taken into account, as failure to observe these matters may lead to risks that we do not want to take,” Al-Matihi said.

Al-Harbi said that the Hajj metro would be fully operational and up to full capacity during the season.

He added that it would include “17 express trains and an operational capacity to transport 72,000 passengers per hour. Also, there will be 35 SAR trains that connect Makkah, Madinah, and Jeddah with its two stations.”

He said: “The train carries 417 passengers, and double trips are also possible to accommodate around 800 passengers.

“Hajj metro transports 3,000 pilgrims every 90 seconds. All this is to provide an enriching Hajj experience for pilgrims from around the globe.”

Iraqi highlighted the role of SAPTCO and the Hajj and Umrah companies in providing efficient transportation services for pilgrims. 




(AN photo by Adnan Mahdaly)

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah works to provide accommodation and hospitality services for the increasing number of pilgrims and performers, and it aims to raise the capacity of holy sites to ensure the safety and comfort of visitors.

The second panel discussion, Housing and Hospitality Services: Ensuring Services’ Quality and Raising Capacity, highlighted efforts to improve pilgrims’ experiences while ensuring prices remained competitive.

Omar Mandoura, general manager at the Housing Department of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, said: “The ministry is working on developing systems and procedures to ensure the quality of services provided in the housing and hospitality sector.”

“The Housing Department pays great attention to pilgrims, and is keen to cooperate with the competent authorities to solve challenges and meet aspirations.”

Khalid Al-Amoudi, CEO of the Jabal Omar Development Company, told the panel that the slums of Makkah had been transformed.

He said: “The project began by adding more hotel rooms within the first work phase, and in the second phase, the company aims to build markets and more hotels to enrich the experience of pilgrims.”

The event was concluded by an announcement from Ahmad Bin Madhi, chief investment officer at Rua Al Madinah Holding Co., who spoke of the company’s hopes to provide more than 46,000 hotel rooms and many commercial and entertainment sites around the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, by 2030.

The company is a Public Investment Fund project that was launched in August 2022. It focuses on enriching the religious journey of pilgrims by building commercial, residential, and hospitality facilities, and bids to enhance the cultural experience for visitors.


Saudi Arabia sends 22nd relief plane to aid Gaza

Saudi Arabia sends 22nd relief plane to aid Gaza
Updated 28 November 2023
Follow

Saudi Arabia sends 22nd relief plane to aid Gaza

Saudi Arabia sends 22nd relief plane to aid Gaza

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia sent on Tuesday its 22nd plane carrying aid destined for Gaza, which departed from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh for Al-Arish International Airport in Egypt.

Operated by KSrelief, the aircraft is preparing to transport essential aid to those affected by the crisis in the Gaza Strip.

Onboard the relief plane are 39 tons of aid supplies, including food, shelter, and medical provisions. This initiative is part of an ongoing campaign dedicated to alleviating the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.


Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrives in Riyadh for official visit

Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrives in Riyadh for official visit
Updated 28 November 2023
Follow

Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrives in Riyadh for official visit

Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrives in Riyadh for official visit
  • The two countries enjoy a robust trade partnership

RIYADH: Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for an official visit to the Kingdom.

Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region, welcome the Brazilian leader and his accompanying delegation upon their arrival at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

The two countries enjoy a robust trade partnership, with Brazilian exports to Saudi Arabia during the first seven months of the year reaching $1.87 billion, the highest amongst all Arab countries.

Brazilian imports from the Kingdom were also the highest among Arab countries, standing at $1.98 billion.


‘What Singapore did in 60 years, Saudi Arabia wants to accomplish in 15 years’: Diriyah Group CEO

‘What Singapore did in 60 years, Saudi Arabia wants to accomplish in 15 years’: Diriyah Group CEO
Updated 28 November 2023
Follow

‘What Singapore did in 60 years, Saudi Arabia wants to accomplish in 15 years’: Diriyah Group CEO

‘What Singapore did in 60 years, Saudi Arabia wants to accomplish in 15 years’: Diriyah Group CEO
  • Media Oasis gathers Saudi delegation for 3-day event ahead of BIE Expo 2030 announcement
  • For Diriyah, chief executive says 140m sq m must be finished by 2030 to welcome people from around world

PARIS: Media Oasis is a three-day event organized by the Saudi Ministry of Media, highlighting the Kingdom’s economic, development, and culture transformation.

The fifth edition, being held at the Pavillon Vendome in Paris ahead of the Bureau International des Expositions announcement of the Expo 2030 host country, gathers a delegation of Saudi ministers, the mayor of Riyadh, and the leadership of Saudi megaproject companies, to talk about their latest and upcoming projects under Vision 2030, what the Kingdom will look like by 2030, and why Riyadh is the place to be and host the next world expo following Osaka in 2025.

The Media Oasis comprises nine sections from hospitality to culture and sport with Riyadh Expo 2030, Diriyah, NEOM, the Ministry of Sport, Visit Saudi and more present to showcase the “city of tomorrow,” Saudi heritage, and the country’s cultural gems.

The Ministry of Sport is working on 33 new events for 2024 in addition to hosting Asia 2027, Trojena winter games, with sustainability factored into the Kingdom’s transformation efforts, sustainable sports events, and activities.

Jerry Inzerillo, CEO of the Diriyah Group, told Arab News how Diriyah was at the heart of the Kingdom’s transformation journey for 2030 and beyond.

Diriyah is a model for urban development and cultural renaissance, and an ambitious project aiming to become one of the leading culture centers, tourism hubs, and entertainment destinations on a global scale.

“We’re very blessed at this point in time to have two great visionary leaders of one time, King Salman, and the dynamic Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Their vision of the Kingdom to give happiness and well-being to all its people is 2030.

“The reason why this Expo is more important to Saudi than anybody is because we feel that it will allow us to welcome people from all over the world to see the accomplishments of the Kingdom by 2030.

“The crown prince said we will not only show our commitment, but we will also physically be there to show how much this means to us and I think it was a very thoughtful and brilliant strategy,” Inzerillo said.

Moving forward and beyond the announcement, the megaprojects are in progress to achieve the targets of Vision 2030, alongside a continued conversation between Saudi Arabia and the rest of the world to meet the Kingdom’s economic, culture, and hospitality objectives.

With 50 years of experience in the tourism industry, Inzerillo highlighted authenticity and passion as a driving force behind the Diriyah projects, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the birthplace of the Kingdom.

“Winning the bid is when the work begins, because we have a giant task to do to get everything completed by 2030. In the case of Diriyah, 140 million square meters must be finished by 2030 and we will be ready to welcome everybody from all over the world,” he added.

In the six years leading up to 2030 the biggest challenge was expected to be manpower.

Inzerillo said: “We’re lucky because the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a very young population, highly educated.

“What Singapore did in 60 years, what the Emiratis did just in tourism in 30 years, the crown prince wants to accomplish that in 15 years.

“Diriyah will be very famous by 2030. Now we have to get NEOM going, Red Sea going, the city of Riyadh will be unrecognizable, one of the great G20 cities of the world, as the crown prince continues his global leadership as a G20 head of government,” he added.


Symposium on fatwas to be held at Prophet’s Mosque

Symposium on fatwas to be held at Prophet’s Mosque
Updated 28 November 2023
Follow

Symposium on fatwas to be held at Prophet’s Mosque

Symposium on fatwas to be held at Prophet’s Mosque
  • A fatwa is a legal ruling on a point of Islamic law

RIYADH: The head of religious affairs at the two holy mosques Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais announced that royal approval had been issued to hold a symposium on fatwas at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah.

A fatwa is a legal ruling on a point of Islamic law, and the symposium will focus on rulings at the two holy mosques and their impacts on facilitating visitors to the religious sites.

Al-Sudais said the symposium is an extension of the efforts of the Saudi government to serve the two holy mosques and conveying their message to the world in accordance with the Kingdom’s moderate approach based on the Qur’an and the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad.

He explained that the approval to hold this symposium supports the shift in methods of issuing fatwas and their digitalization in a way that suits and meets the religious needs of the visitors of the mosques, while helping them perform their rituals.

Al-Sudais added that the approval of King Salman to hold the symposium reflected the Kingdom’s concern for fatwas, given their direct impact on the pilgrims to the Two Holy Mosques.


Saudi crown prince, Ukrainian president discuss Ukraine-Russia conflict

Saudi crown prince, Ukrainian president discuss Ukraine-Russia conflict
Updated 28 November 2023
Follow

Saudi crown prince, Ukrainian president discuss Ukraine-Russia conflict

Saudi crown prince, Ukrainian president discuss Ukraine-Russia conflict
  • Crown prince affirmed the Kingdom's commitment and support for all international efforts aimed at resolving crisis

RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman received a phone call on Monday from the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the call, the crown prince affirmed the Kingdom's commitment and support for all international efforts aimed at resolving the Ukrainian-Russian crisis.

President Zelensky, in turn, acknowledged the efforts undertaken by the Kingdom in this regard.

The conversation also included a review of the bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as a discussion on various issues of mutual interest.