Editing Mecca (section)

==Economy==
[[File:Pilgrims cover Arafat's roads, plains and mountain - Flickr - Al Jazeera English.jpg|thumb|Pilgrims are the driving force of Mecca's economy.]]
The Meccan economy has been heavily dependent on pilgrimages coming for Umrah and Hajj.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/how-important-is-the-umrah-pilgrimage-for-the-saudi-economy-34163 |title=How important is the Umrah pilgrimage for the Saudi economy? |publisher=TRT World | date=27 February 2020 |access-date=1 November 2022 }}</ref> Income generated through pilgrims not only powers the Meccan economy but has historically had far-reaching effects on the economy of the entire [[Arabian Peninsula]]. The income was generated in a number of ways. One method was taxing the pilgrims. Taxes were especially increased during the [[Great Depression]], and many of these taxes existed to as late as 1972. Another way the Hajj generates income is through services to pilgrims. For example, the Saudi [[flag carrier]], [[Saudia]], generates 12% of its income from the pilgrimage. Fares paid by pilgrims to reach Mecca by land also generate income; as do the hotels and lodging companies that house them.<ref name="EIModern" /> The city takes in more than $100&nbsp;million, while the Saudi government spends about $50&nbsp;million on services for the Hajj. There are some industries and factories in the city, but Mecca no longer plays a major role in [[Economy of Saudi Arabia|Saudi Arabia's economy]], which is mainly based on oil exports.<ref>''Mecca.'' World Book Encyclopedia. 2003 edition. Volume M. p. 353</ref> The few industries operating in Mecca include textiles, furniture, and utensils. The majority of the economy is service-oriented.

[[File:Hilton Hotel - panoramio (2).jpg|thumb|[[Hilton Hotels & Resorts]] in Mecca|left]]
Nevertheless, many industries have been set up in Mecca. Various types of enterprises that have existed since 1970 in the city include [[Iron mining|corrugated iron manufacturing]], [[copper extraction]], carpentry, [[upholstery]], bakeries, farming and banking.<ref name="EIModern" /> The city has grown substantially in the 20th and 21st centuries, as the convenience and affordability of [[jet aircraft|jet]] travel has increased the number of pilgrims participating in the [[Hajj]]. Thousands of Saudis are employed year-round to oversee the Hajj and staff the hotels and shops that cater to pilgrims; these workers in turn have increased the demand for housing and services. The city is now ringed by freeways and contains shopping malls and skyscrapers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article358577.ece |title=Shame of the House of Saud: Shadows over Mecca |publisher=The Independent (UK) |date=19 April 2006 |access-date=3 May 2007 |location=London |first=Daniel |last=Howden |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070520184851/http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article358577.ece |archive-date=20 May 2007  }}</ref>

A new industrial city is being developed in ''Al Akashiya'' district of Makkah by the [[Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones]]. It covers an area of {{Convert|45|km2|acre}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MODON begins handover of 45 mln sqm industrial city in Makkah |url=https://www.argaam.com/en/article/articledetail/id/1479634 |access-date=2023-12-26 |website=ArgaamPlus |language=en}}</ref>