Saudi Arabia to earn $8.5b from Hajj

MECCA, Saudi Arabia, Aug 26 (AFP): Saudi Arabia could earn $8.5 billion from this October's hajj, according to a study published on Monday, which predicted that two million Muslims would make the pilgrimage to Mecca.

The Mecca Chamber of Commerce said revenues from the world's largest annual gathering of Muslims would increase by three per cent from last year.

The study was based on estimates that 1.98 million pilgrims will travel to the holy Muslim city of Mecca, including 1.38 million, or 70 per cent, from abroad.

According to the report, a pilgrim who has travelled from another country will spend an average of 17,381 riyals ($4,633) during Hajj, which runs for five days.

A domestic worshipper pays around 4,948 riyals ($1,319), the study found.