Latest news with #Mecca
Al Arabiya
2 days ago
- Business
- Al Arabiya
Saudi Arabia tops global tourism spending growth in Q1 2025: UN report
Saudi Arabia led the world in international tourism spending growth during the first quarter of 2025 and ranked third globally in tourist arrival gains, according to the latest UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) data. The Kingdom recorded a 102 percent surge in international visitor numbers and spending compared to the same period in 2019, significantly outpacing the global average of 3 percent and the Middle East's 44 percent. For more news on Saudi Arabia, visit our dedicated page. In its latest World Tourism Barometer, the UNWTO confirmed that Saudi Arabia placed first worldwide in tourism receipts growth and third globally in international arrivals. Regionally, the Kingdom ranked second in the Middle East for visitor growth. According to the Ministry of Tourism, foreign visitor spending in Q1 2025 reached $13.2 billion (SAR 49.4 billion) – an increase of nearly 10 percent over Q1 2024. The Kingdom's travel account surplus also rose 11.7 percent year-on-year. Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed al-Khateeb welcomed the results, saying they 'support the Kingdom's efforts to boost tourism as part of its Saudi Vision 2030.' The strong performance reflects the impact of Vision 2030 and the Kingdom's ambitious giga-projects – including NEOM, AlUla, the Red Sea Project, Amaala, and Sindalah – as well as streamlined visa policies and expanded tourism infrastructure, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). Religious tourism continues to play a central role, with Mecca and Madinah drawing millions of pilgrims annually. Mecca alone attracted 9.4 million visitors in 2022. Meanwhile, heritage destinations like Hegra in AlUla – known for its ancient Nabatean tombs – are expanding Saudi Arabia's appeal to leisure and cultural tourists. The 'Quality of Life' Program has also contributed to this momentum, with $9.2 billion (SAR 34.6 billion) invested since 2018 in entertainment, festivals, and infrastructure improvements aimed at enhancing the visitor experience. With this upward trajectory in both receipts and arrivals, Saudi Arabia appears well on track to reach its Vision 2030 goal of 150 million annual visits and establish itself as a leading global tourism destination.
Al Bawaba
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Abbas Araghchi meets Saudi counterpart in Mecca
ALBAWABA- In a significant step toward regional diplomacy, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, on Tuesday at the Ministry's branch in Mecca. Also Read Two Missing, two injured after ship attacked off Yemen The meeting was Araghchi's first official visit to Saudi Arabia since attending the BRICS summit in Brazil, which indicates an easing of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran after years of tension. According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the visit aimed to deepen dialogue on bilateral ties and explore pathways to enhance regional peace and security. The two top diplomats discussed ongoing regional developments, including efforts to stabilize the Middle East amid escalating threats and political unrest. Araghchi's visit comes at a critical moment. In a sharply worded op-ed published by the Financial Times, the Iranian Foreign Minister criticized the United States' regional posture, claiming that 'America First' has effectively become 'Israel First.' He argued that true diplomacy must be built on mutual respect and warned against coercive policies masked as dialogue. 'Negotiations held under the shadow of war are inherently unstable,' Araghchi wrote, cautioning that real dialogue cannot exist while threats and third-party interference persist. He pointed to Israeli airstrikes on Iran and U.S. policy shifts as key factors derailing progress. Araghchi also revealed that U.S.-Iran nuclear talks had gained momentum in recent months, but claimed the diplomatic channel was disrupted just days before a crucial sixth round of talks by what he described as 'an unprovoked Israeli attack.' He expressed doubt over renewed U.S. engagement, citing the collapse of the 2015 nuclear agreement and the lack of trust after repeated setbacks. Despite his sharp criticism of the U.S. and Israel, Araghchi emphasized Iran's commitment to preventing a full-scale regional war and reiterated Tehran's openness to responsible diplomacy. He described recent conversations with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff as more productive than four years of prior negotiations.
Al Arabiya
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers hold talks on regional developments
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Mecca on Tuesday to discuss bilateral ties, regional developments, and joint efforts to promote security and stability. The meeting was also attended by several senior officials from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al Farhan, Advisor for Political Affairs; Mohammed Al Yahya, Advisor to the Minister; Nasser Al Ghanem, Director General of the General Administration for Asian Countries; and Dr. Manal Radwan, Advisor at the Ministry.
Time Out
07-07-2025
- Business
- Time Out
Mecca's huge new Bourke Street flagship store finally has an opening date – and it's very soon
Hey, Beauty Loopers! You're going to want to clear your schedule on this day: Friday, August 8. Yep, after months of speculation on the official opening date (not to mention years of planning, construction and unexpected delays), the sparkling jewel in Mecca's crown is officially ready to open – and trust us when we say it's been worth the wait. The launch of the massive Bourke Street flagship store will mark the beginning of a bold era in Mecca's history, and set a new gold standard for experiential beauty retail. Spanning 4,000 square metres across three storeys (that's three times the size of Sydney's George Street store), it will play host to upwards of 200 leading beauty brands, 80-plus services and more than 300 team members. Oh, it's also estimated that 50,000 people will walk through the doors weekly. Specifically designed as an all-day destination where no two visits are the same, what awaits inside can only be described as the beauty playground of your wildest dreams. There's the Perfumeria, aka an immersive fragrance gallery guided by scent sommeliers (yes, really); the Apothecary, where on-site naturopaths can advise on wellness issues relating to sleep and gut health; the Beauty Atelier, for hair, make-up and nail appointments; and Mecca Aesthetica, with seven private rooms for cosmetic consultations and clinical skin treatments like meso-needling and microdermabrasion. But wait, there's more! The Meccaversity Auditorium is a world-first educational space that will offer a year-round program of events, workshops, masterclasses and brand founder talks. There's also a dedicated gifting area and a newsroom – where you can stay up to date on all the latest beauty news, of course. And because we know there's nothing worse than shopping on an empty stomach, there will even be a café on level one where you can refuel, complete with a custom marble bar and leather banquette seating. One more thing: renowned Melbourne florist Flowers Vasette will also have an in-house cool room where you can pick up fresh blooms and bespoke arrangements. After all, there's nothing like a side of tulips to go with your purchase of Byredo's La Tulipe perfume. 'Mecca Bourke Street is the physical embodiment of our purpose – to embolden through beauty by helping people look, feel and be their best,' says Mecca founder and Co-CEO Jo Horgan. 'It reimagines what experiential retail can be, fusing creativity, culture, and collaboration to create something so much more than a store – it's the Mecca of all Meccas.' There's beauty in the heritage-listed building itself, too. The exact location of the flagship store is 299 Bourke Street – which was originally the site of Cole's Book Arcade, once regarded as one of the largest and grandest book stores in the world. The space has been beautifully preserved in partnership with Studio McQualter, with original features like the arched windows, terrazzo flooring and shopfront tiles remaining. So, who's ready for the beauty revolution? Find out more about the flagship store here and we'll see you there on August 8.
Arab News
06-07-2025
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia enhances pilgrimage journey with record growth, satisfaction
The Pilgrim Experience Program, a key initiative under the Kingdom's Vision 2030, issued its 2024 annual report, showing a 101 percent increase in arrivals compared with 2022 — an achievement attributed to cross-sector integration and streamlined procedures facilitating pilgrimages. The report highlighted the program's and its affiliated entities' achievements in enhancing services for pilgrims, Umrah performers, and visitors, showing the Kingdom's efforts to provide a rich, seamless and spiritually fulfilling experience from planning to safe return. According to the report, in 2024 more than 18.5 million pilgrims and Umrah performers arrived from abroad, including 16.92 million Umrah performers, exceeding the year's targets. It noted that 89 initiatives, implemented with more than 40 government entities, achieved a 95 percent compliance rate. These initiatives cover all stages of the pilgrim journey, including transport, rituals, and visits to historical and religious sites. Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, minister of Hajj and Umrah and chairman of the Pilgrim Experience Program committee, said that the Saudi leadership has prioritized serving Hajj and Umrah pilgrims as a key goal of Vision 2030. Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah hosted more than 13 million visitors in 2024, up from 4 million in 2022. Visitor satisfaction rose from 57 percent to 81 percent, reflecting improved service quality and experience. Volunteer engagement grew significantly, with more than 153,000 volunteers serving pilgrims in 2024, up from 15,000 in 2022 — showing a stronger culture of social participation. Internationally, the program led 33 overseas visits with public and private partners, addressing logistical challenges, opening new routes, increasing seat capacity and easing travel for pilgrims. The Hajj and Umrah minister emphasized that these achievements result from the efforts of more than 40 partner organisations, each working with a sense of religious and national duty. Globally, Makkah ranked fifth in international visitor numbers, while Madinah climbed to seventh in the global tourism performance index, reinforcing Saudi Arabia's position as a leading spiritual and cultural destination. The report also highlighted advances in digital services, notably the Nusuk platform, which now offers more than 100 services to streamline travel, booking, and pilgrimage arrangements. Meanwhile, the Makkah Route initiative, designed to expedite travel procedures for pilgrims in their home countries, has benefited more than 940,000 travelers since its inception. The report concluded by emphasizing that these milestones reflect the support of the Kingdom's leadership and the efforts of various government agencies. It reaffirmed that serving pilgrims remains a top national priority, with continued innovation and integration to enhance their religious and cultural journey in line with Vision 2030 aspirations.
