mecca/riyadh step away mecca grand mosque dozen empty tower rise sky holy city visit millions muslim pilgrims every year hilton marriott logos adorn site herald 3.2 billion jabal omar complex build bring hotels restaurants luxury malls pilgrimage experience hotels build around mosque bring business god will say awad al-arshani beckon customers date two holy mosques shop pilgrimage backbone plan expand tourism crown prince mohammed bin salman economic reform program announce year ago diversify economy away oil haj journey every able-bodied muslim afford must perform lifetime profound experience undertake also big business saudi arabia haj year-round less pilgrimage umrah generate 12 billion revenues worshippers lodge transport gift food fee accord bmi research still big question saudi arabia cater active tourism market especially kingdom eschew tourist visa pilgrimage visa currently bar travel outside holy cities mecca medina authorities plan relax restrictions specify extent raise visa cost return pilgrims 500 kingdom tourism development far target affluent end market big fastest-growing pilgrim populations come modest mean additionally worship shrine consider idolatry saudi arabia austere official wahhabi school islam unclear islamic historical sit pilgrims might lure years neglect saudi tourism commission pledge rehabilitate four sit mecca jabal al-nour jabal thawr hudaybiyyah mohammed migration path mecca medina scant sign restoration mecca far say irfan alawi founder islamic heritage research foundation religious police still sit outside sit shoo away pilgrims warn idolatry say dozens sit demolish make way redevelopment pilgrims comprise bulk saudi arabia 20 million annual foreign visitors apart workers business travelers nearly 2.4 million come year haj 1.9 million last year 7.5 million perform umrah 2016. officials aim increase number umrah haj pilgrims 15 million million respectively 2020 hope double umrah number 30 million 2030. addition hope pilgrims attract spend money museums luxury resort historical sit pilgrims encourage move love country cradle islam land revelation prophet peace upon nasser al-zein turkish-german car dealer frankfurt tell reuters perform haj love spend money west islamic country others find cost prohibitive problem visa extend perhaps could stay visit place mecca medina say zawaoui daraji 50 trader algeria hotels charge 25,000 riyals 6,666.31 stay much us say concern deter saudi officials long last year reform announcement begin invest tens billions dollars mega-hotels public transit grand mosque expansion mecca 15 billion abraj al-beit golden clocktower complex complete 2011 seven tower hotels malls already loom mosque join soon 40 new tower jabal omar development begin 2008 3.5 billion abraj kudai complex world large hotel come complete four rooftop helipads new airport jeddah high-speed haramain rail system set open next year whisk visitors cities along red sea coast despite fund crunch exist project last year authorities announce new leisure mega-projects outside holy cities one faisaliah project run mecca edge red sea aim attract 10 million visitors seaside getaways islamic research center 2050. north red sea project hop attract luxury travellers island resort pre-islamic ruin close visa-free zone king abdullah economic city one stop rail line plan resort theme park saudi arabia seek islamic tourism boost test heritage tradition