Mecca's hotel industry will expand by 13,500 rooms in the next 5 years
Skift Take
A Saudi Arabian development company plans to help the holy city accommodate the more than 10 million religious visitors that arrive each year with 35 higher-end hotels next to the Grand Mosque.
Jabal Omar Development Co. (JOMAR) plans to open 10 hotel towers in Mecca next year to accommodate Islamic pilgrims, the Saudi Arabian company’s executive general director said.
Jabal Omar is developing 2.2 million square meters (24 million square feet) of land near the Grand Mosque, Sameer Al- Quraishi said in a phone interview last week. The site was designed to include 38 hotel towers and the country’s largest shopping mall, he said.
Up Next
Airlines
How Airlines are Redefining Premium Travel with Customizable and Personalized Experiences
As the airline industry adapts to evolving traveler expectations, premium cabins coupled with personalized experiences have become essential tools for driving loyalty and revenue. Airlines are turning to digital innovation and sustainable practices to redefine the premium travel experience and meet the needs of diverse customers.
Sponsored 
Airlines
India Plans 50 New Airports in 5 Years — India Report
Having become the third-largest domestic aviation market, India is now setting sights on positioning itself as a hub connecting the East to the West. Perhaps this could also boost the lagging international inbound segment.
Travel Technology
AI Startup DeepSeek Has Silicon Valley Panicking. What It Could Mean for Travel
More AI companies surely is better for the travel industry, even if Silicon Valley isn't happy about it.
Cruises
Royal Caribbean to Add River Cruises Under Celebrity Brand in 2027
Bookings are already off to a record start in 2025 for Royal Caribbean, and the company is now set to expand its offerings further by breaking into river cruises, the CEO told Skift.
Airlines
JetBlue Issues Dim Outlook But Execs Remain Confident in Turnaround Plan
JetBlue said it was expecting a weaker first-quarter while executives said they believed the carrier’s turnaround plan would eventually deliver long-term profitability.