By Ayedh Al-Raddadi
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation has chosen Madinah as the capital of Islamic tourism for the year 2017. Madinah has always been an attractive place for Muslims to visit and tourism has been a reliable economic resource.
Tourism boosts the economy of a city and in the past it provided essential income for the economy of Madinah in terms of renting accommodation to visitors and providing transportation to Makkah.
Tourism can be developed by using modern methods, such as organizing trips for tourists to Madinah’s mosques, museums and farms as well as historical places, such as the sites of the battles of Uhud and Badr. Madinah also provides access to beautiful mountains, valleys and historical cities, such as Al-Ula and Al-Rabadha.
These trips can provide employment to many Saudi men and women because Muslim visitors are keen to visit places that have played an important role in the history of Islam.
Developing tourism in Madinah will not only create job opportunities in the tourism sector, but will also lead to the establishment of factories for producing local products which will provide a further boost to the local economy.
Tourism will promote the production and sale of Madinah dates, especially Al-Ajwa dates which are one of the most popular among Muslims. Greater emphasis on tourism will also serve to prevent urban sprawl as the need to preserve sites important to tourists becomes clear to those who take a short-term economic view.
Tourism can lead to an increase in the economy. The occasion of Madinah being named the capital of Islamic tourism provides an opportunity for the city to develop a long-term tourism strategy that will attract millions of visitors in years to come.
