Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism welcomed the first groups of pilgrims arriving in Makkah and Madinah, organising reception events that reflect Saudi hospitality and the Kingdom’s commitment to serving pilgrims.
Saudi-based Umm Al Qura for Development and Construction Company has announced the extension of two reservation agreements with Mousa Abdulaziz Al Mousa & Sons Real Estate Holding Group for the sale of two plots within its premium Masar Destination in Makkah.
Travel activity among Saudi residents rose during Ramadan 2026, driven by strong Umrah and family travel demand. Accommodation searches increased 20.67% in Makkah and 25.16% in Madinah, peaking late in the month, alongside earlier planning for Eid and post-Ramadan trips.
The Makkah Municipality has achieved significant infrastructure and urban development milestones in 2025, including the rehabilitation of over one million square metres of roads.
Rua Al Haram Al Makki Company, a Saudi PIF company dedicated to delivering projects surrounding the Makkah mosque, has collaborated with Alpha Development to explore and develop qualitative urban projects, including initiatives within the King Salman Gate Project.
Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites plans to nearly double Makkah Taxi fleet capacity this year to around 1,600 vehicles, supported by the issuance of three new operating licences to taxi companies under its General Transport Center.
Talgo, a leading Spanish company specialising in the design and manufacture of high-speed lightweight trains, has secured a new order worth €1.3 billion ($1.53 billion) from the Saudi Arabia Railways for supply of 20 high-speed trains. This comes after Talgo's successful delivery of 35 trains to SAR in 2018.
Saudi-based Sumou Real Estate Company has announced that it has signed an agreement for a premium residential and commercial tower in Makkah. The key mixed-use project is being developed for Areeb Sumou Makkah Real Estate Fund on a 3,600 sq m area in Jabal Omar district.
Aleph Hospitality will manage the 338-key Four Points by Sheraton Makkah Ibrahim Al Khalil under a franchise with Marriott, marking its third Marriott hotel in Saudi Arabia and expanding its Middle East and Africa hospitality footprint.
Saudi Water Authority (SWA) has announced that one of its major projects - Shuaiba Desalination Plant Project - Phase 5 in Makkah has successfully boosted its daily output from 600,000 cu m/day to 665,000 cu m/day of desalinated water without incurring additional costs.
