National celebrations and increased operational performance in the holiest places on earth

Mecca - Saudi Arabia

In an atmosphere full of pride and pride, the Accor Hotels and the Clock Towers in Mecca celebrated the Saudi National Day, through national activities and experiences held at the Fairmont Mecca Clock Hotel, the Raffles Mecca Palace, the Swissotel Mecca, and the Swissotel Al Maqam Mecca, in which pilgrims and visitors from various countries of the world participated, amid an atmosphere that reflected the values of authentic Saudi hospitality.

Operational performance that enhances confidence

The occasion coincided with a noticeable improvement in the group’s operational performance, as the total occupancy rate of Accor hotels in the Clock Towers increased during the year 2026 by more than 9% compared to last year, with expectations that this growth will continue until the end of the current year, supported by the exceptional location of the hotels in front of the Grand Mosque, their panoramic views of the Holy Kaaba, and easy access to the courtyards of the Holy Mosque via direct elevators.

Hotel managers express their pride
Hotel managers expressed their happiness with the guests of God participating in this precious occasion. Ahmed Al-Thubaiti, Director of the Makkah Clock Fairmont Hotel, said: “We extend our warmest congratulations to the Kingdom’s leadership and people on this precious occasion, and we are proud to share with the guests of God the joy of National Day.” Ahmed Al-Beik, Director of Raffles Makkah Palace Hotel, added: “National Day represents an occasion in which we take pride in the Kingdom’s journey and achievements, and we are pleased to reflect to our guests the spirit of Saudi hospitality and its distinguished generosity and presence.”

Exceptional privacy in the purest spots

Abdulaziz Al-Abadi, Assistant Director of Public Relations and Marketing at Accor Hotels, Clock Towers, confirmed that the celebration of National Day in Mecca carries an exceptional specialness, as it receives guests from all over the world, which makes the occasion an opportunity to highlight the Kingdom’s culture, identity, and development path.

Religious tourism...a promising sector for the Arab investor
These celebrations reflect the rapid growth of the hospitality sector in Mecca, as major international hotel groups are moving to expand their presence in the holy cities. Market data indicate that Mecca received 22.5 million visits in 2025, compared to 2.5 million for Riyadh, making it the most attractive destination in the Kingdom. This trend represents a golden opportunity for Arab investors to enter the religious hospitality sector, which benefits from a sustainable and predetermined demand thanks to the government quota system for Hajj and Umrah, with expectations of continued growth in light of the goals of Vision 2030 aimed at receiving 30 million pilgrims annually.