Muslim pilgrims circle the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015. In Mecca, the holy site all the world’s Muslims pray toward, the annual hajj pilgrimage began Tuesday with over 2 million faithful gathering to call out in Arabic: “Here I am, God, answering your call. Here I am.”

The Umrah Plus program would be launched soon to allow foreign pilgrims to visit some of the Kingdom’s most attractive cultural and religious landmarks, the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH) announced recently.

Abdul Aziz Al-Hussain, the SCTNH’s director general in Riyadh, said preparations are almost complete. Umrah companies are currently tying up partnerships with tour companies in the Kingdom.

Meanwhile, the Travel and Tourism Pioneers Forum was launched recently in Riyadh with 35 companies from around the world participating.

Nasser Al-Hamdi, Egypt’s ambassador to the Kingdom, said the country is prepared to receive Saudi tourists. About 430,000 tourists visited Egypt in 2013 and 2014, he said.

Prince Saif Al-Islam bin Abdul Aziz said the travel and tourism sector in the Kingdom has grown significantly and now made up 5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. The plan is to ensure annual growth of 10 percent over the next five years, compared to 6 percent last year and 4 percent in 2014.

Related articles across the web

• S/Arabia vows to support Egypt despite oil price slide
• LOL! ISIS Funder Saudi Arabia announces formation of anti-terror coalition
• Saudi Arabia includes Pakistan in 34 member military alliance without prior consent
• France Welcomes Creation of Anti-Terror Coalition, Cooperates With Riyadh
• Saudi to boost aid to Egypt
• Saudi Arabia announces formation of 34-state Islamic military coalition
• Saudi Arabia forms 34-nation anti-terrorist coalition
• Muslim anti-terrorist coalition to remain only on paper
• Pakistan Joins Saudi-led Anti-Terrorist Coalition
• Struggles for Egypt's Tourism Sector