The Saudi Tourism Development Fund and Arab National Bank have signed a co-financing agreement worth SAR 936 million to support the development of the "Masar Mall" project in Makkah, within the "Masar Destination" project, in a step aimed at strengthening the service infrastructure supporting the movement of visitors and Umrah pilgrims.
The project covers more than 63,000 square meters at the western entrance of Makkah, with a direct link to the Haramain High-Speed Railway station, as well as a pedestrian walkway reaching the Grand Mosque, making it part of the access and mobility system inside the city, according to a post on the Saudi Press Agency website.
"Masar Mall" is expected to receive about 20 million visitors a year, forming a commercial and service center serving flows of Umrah pilgrims via the rapid transport network, especially those arriving through King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and reaching Makkah by train.
The project includes global brands, restaurants and entertainment and cultural facilities, along with spaces designed for families and the elderly, enhancing the diversity of services provided to visitors and increasing the time they spend at the destination.
The agreement comes as part of efforts to stimulate tourism investment in Makkah and expand the banking sector's participation in financing projects linked to serving visitors, helping raise the quality of support services and enhance the economic sustainability of religious destinations.
The "Masar Makkah" destination is an integrated development project including a group of hotels, residential apartments and health facilities including a hospital, as well as cultural spaces, helping develop an integrated urban environment that supports quality of life and enhances the city's readiness to receive visitors and Umrah pilgrims.
The Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Board of the Tourism Development Fund, Ahmed bin Aqeel Al-Khateeb, sponsored the signing of the agreement, confirming the priority of investment projects linked to serving visitors to Makkah and supporting financing partnerships that enhance the city's readiness to receive growing numbers of Umrah pilgrims and visitors.
To view the post on the Saudi Press Agency website, click here.
