According to a recent report by the Madinah Chamber of Commerce, the holy city continues to captivate millions through its sacred heritage, cultural richness, and welcoming atmosphere that offers peace and tranquility to all who visit.

This milestone highlights Madinah’s enduring status as a destination that perfectly blends spiritual significance with modern development and hospitality.

The report revealed that Madinah has ranked among the top 100 global destinations and proudly secured the seventh position worldwide in the tourism performance index.

This achievement reflects the city’s growing appeal as a global hub for religious, cultural, and historical tourism. Visitors are drawn not only to its spiritual landmarks but also to its cultural experiences, world-class hospitality infrastructure, and commitment to continuous urban development.

Madinah’s deep connection to Prophet Muhammad makes it one of the most cherished cities for millions of Muslims, while its expanding facilities make it increasingly accessible and comfortable for all travelers.

Tourism performance indicators also highlighted the success of neighboring destinations within the Madinah region. The report showed that 47.2 percent of incoming tourists visited AlUla governorate, renowned for its cultural festivals, ancient archaeological sites, and UNESCO World Heritage locations.

Meanwhile, 14.1 percent of domestic tourists chose Yanbu for its pristine beaches, marine adventures, and family-friendly recreational activities.

Together, these destinations have strengthened the region’s reputation as a diverse tourism hub, offering both spiritual and leisure experiences that cater to global travelers.

The Madinah Chamber of Commerce emphasized that these results reflect the Kingdom’s strategic efforts to advance tourism in line with Vision 2030.

The national tourism system has played a pivotal role in supporting destinations like Madinah, ensuring that the region continues to attract international visitors while enhancing the quality of life for residents.

Major investments in infrastructure, hospitality, and public services have transformed the visitor experience, making Madinah not just a sacred destination but also a symbol of Saudi Arabia’s progress and vision for sustainable tourism growth.

Madinah’s success story is also a result of the dedication of the Madinah Region Development Authority, which has implemented a wide range of projects to modernize facilities, improve transportation, and preserve the city’s historical and spiritual character.

These initiatives aim to ensure that every visitor experiences comfort, safety, and serenity while exploring the city’s mosques, museums, and heritage sites.

The authority’s work aligns with the broader national goals of enhancing religious tourism, boosting economic diversification, and fostering cultural exchange.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, Madinah also recorded the highest occupancy rates in Saudi Arabia’s hospitality sector during the first half of 2025, reaching 74.7 percent.

This impressive figure highlights the city’s ability to accommodate its growing number of visitors while maintaining high standards of service.

The total number of licensed hospitality facilities in Madinah rose to 538, including 69 new licenses issued this year, with over 64,500 hotel rooms available—an increase of 6,628 rooms compared to the previous year.

Residents and visitors alike praise Madinah for its peaceful environment and spiritual energy. Ahmad Al-Otaibi, a Taif resident, described the city as incomparable in its calm and welcoming nature, crediting the development authorities for improving hospitality and infrastructure that elevate the visitor experience.

These efforts have not only enhanced the quality of services but have also strengthened the city’s role as a leading global destination for faith-based and cultural tourism.

Madinah’s continued growth and success represent the essence of Saudi Vision 2030—creating a vibrant society, thriving economy, and an ambitious nation that opens its doors to the world.

With ongoing projects, modern facilities, and a deep-rooted spiritual identity, Madinah stands as a shining example of how tradition and progress can exist in harmony.

During the meeting, ministers warmly welcomed the US proposal aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza and praised the successful outcomes of the Munich Security Conference held in AlUla.

The cabinet underscored its strong commitment to supporting peaceful resolutions in the occupied Palestinian territories, applauding the steps proposed by US President Donald Trump to ensure the release of all hostages and initiate immediate negotiations for practical implementation.

This demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s dedication to constructive dialogue, humanitarian initiatives, and promoting stability in the region.

Minister of Media Salman bin Youssef Al-Dosari stated that the cabinet commended the achievements of the Munich Security Conference leaders’ meeting in AlUla, emphasizing the Kingdom’s role as a hub for international dialogue and cooperation.

The session brought together senior officials from multiple countries, allowing for productive discussions on regional developments and global issues including food security, climate change, energy, international trade, and economic collaboration.

The cabinet also highlighted the remarkable progress made in cybersecurity cooperation among Arab nations.

The outcomes of the second regular session of the Council of Arab Cybersecurity Ministers, hosted by Saudi Arabia, were lauded for advancing regional collaboration in creating a safe, reliable, and digitally secure environment that supports economic growth and prosperity.

Additionally, the session praised the achievements of the fifth International Cybersecurity Forum held in Riyadh under the patronage of King Salman, noting its success in fostering innovation, technological excellence, and international partnerships in cybersecurity.

Through this session, Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its position as a proactive and responsible leader in regional peace initiatives, international diplomacy, and digital advancement.

By championing collaboration, humanitarian efforts, and technological progress, the Kingdom continues to contribute positively to stability, growth, and prosperity in the region and beyond.

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for AlUla brings the rich heritage of the North Arabian kingdoms to China, showcasing rare artifacts and shared legacies with Henan’s ancient civilizations.

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission for AlUla has unveiled a landmark exhibition in China, celebrating the vibrant history of the ancient North Arabian kingdoms and their enduring influence on regional and global heritage.

Held at the Shang Dynasty Capital Site Museum in Henan province until January 5, the exhibition, “Glimpses of the Ancient North Arabian Kingdoms,” forms part of the Saudi Ministry of Culture’s Saudi-Chinese Cultural Year. It is jointly curated by the commission and the museum, reflecting a growing commitment to international cultural collaboration.

Visitors are invited to explore the civilizations of Dadan, Lihyan, and Nabataea, which once controlled vital caravan routes linking Arabia with Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Mediterranean. Centered around AlUla, these kingdoms left behind temples, tombs, inscriptions, and exquisite artworks that now offer insight into ancient trade, religion, and daily life.

The exhibition features more than 30 rare objects from AlUla, including 15 artifacts on public display for the first time. Highlights include a finely carved sandstone statue of a Lihyanite ruler from Dadan dating between the fifth and third centuries B.C., votive figurine fragments left by pilgrims at Umm Daraj and Jabal Dadan, and a remarkable 2,000-year-old Nabataean silk fragment from a monumental tomb. A silver “sela” coin from Petra, depicting Nabataean King Aretas IV and Queen Huldu, underscores the region’s rich economic and artistic heritage.

Complementing the Arabian collection, the exhibition also features 10 Chinese artifacts, including camel figurines, incense burners, and cosmetic items. These items draw meaningful parallels between AlUla and Henan, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, emphasizing shared legacies in trade, writing, and cultural exchange that date back to the first millennium B.C.

Although direct contact between the North Arabian kingdoms and ancient Chinese dynasties has not been definitively documented, organizers highlight that the exhibition provides a unique opportunity to explore interconnected histories of two civilizations that flourished at global crossroads.

“The exhibition allows visitors to appreciate how AlUla’s ancient kingdoms not only shaped Arabia’s cultural landscape but also contributed to a broader story of international exchange,” said a spokesperson for the Royal Commission for AlUla. “By sharing these treasures in China, we celebrate centuries of innovation, trade, and artistic achievement that resonate across cultures today.”

The exhibition has already attracted wide interest from historians, art enthusiasts, and the general public, offering an immersive journey through ancient societies that once bridged continents. Interactive displays and detailed storytelling bring the objects to life, providing educational insights for both adults and students.

Through initiatives like this, Saudi Arabia continues to strengthen cultural ties with China and other nations, showcasing its commitment to preserving and sharing heritage on a global stage. AlUla’s ancient kingdoms, long celebrated for their strategic significance and artistic mastery, are now inspiring new generations worldwide.

As the exhibition continues through early 2026, it stands as a testament to the enduring value of cultural exchange, fostering appreciation for the rich histories that connect distant lands and peoples across time.

Did the photoshoot happen in Madina?

A number of brotherhood news agencies like Middle East Monitor and others have highlighted the word “Madina” in the headlines. However, the official Saudi news agency Arab News has reported where and what exactly took place.

According to its report published on 6th July, the Lebanese designer Eli Mizrahi had his latest photoshoot in January 2020 for his campaign in the Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site—Al Ula, which is an ancient city that lies within the Governorate of Ula or Muhafazat Al-Ula in Arabic.

The report vividly mentions that the Lebanese designer came to Saudi Arabia in December 2019, and he was fascinated by the hertitage site, so he decided to have his photoshoot in Al Ula.

No where, did the designer mention in his Insta posts that he did the photoshoot in the city of Madina.

Why the designer chose Al Ula?

Al Ula is around 300 Kms from Prophet’s city of Madina, and the Saudi tourism industry is promoting it as a best tourism spot for the world to come and experience the breathtaking scenic views.

A place called Hegan also known as Madain Salih in Al Ula, was built more than 2000-years ago by the Nabataeans. The city is best known for more than 100 monumental tombs which were carved from the rock formations in which the Nabataean elites were laid to rest.

To promote the tourism and attract more tourists, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is training more than 200 Saudi male and female students in the fields of farming, water technology, and hospitality. They are given training in new languages as well.

It’s quite obvious that the heritage site which has attracted thousands of tourists in the past few years, has attracted Mizrahi too, to have his latest collection to be shot there.

In fact, he expressed in an interview about his personal choice for the campaign that—“I didn’t have a million bucks for this campaign. But you never know until you try. I had my little army of supporters; Carine Roitfeld was on board, and I convinced the talent that they would look back on this moment — 24 hours in AlUla — as something special. Kate Moss not only came, but she was the first one on set at 5 a.m. and the last to leave.”

It’s obvious that the designer though he didn’t have a million bucks, managed the funds through his fans and supporters—all at the cost of the scenic beauty of Al Ula. He indeed convinced the supermodels for the photoshoot that they would relish the moments spent in the ancient city.

Should Muslims be really bothered by the photoshoot?

Muslims regard Prophet’s city of Madina as a holy place, and they get disturbed and concerned to see such raunchy campaigns in Islam’s second holy city.

But why would something bother them which is happening somewhere in Al Ula—a place which has no relation to the Islam’s second holy city?

In fact, once Prophet Mohammed with his companions was travelling to Tabuk, he happened to drop by Hegra, and he left the place immediately. He never lived or rested there.

The place cannot be considered as “holy”, because it’s a regular tourism place which is known for its rich history, scenic beauty and archaeological observations.

Conclusion

Those who run the propaganda are very clever. Their language and alignment changes from audience to audience. For conservative audience, they have their own tools, and for liberal audience, they have their own tools.

People should free themselves from falling into any type of political messaging, and it should be understood that it’s as clear as a day that the site is famous for tourism, and it’s open for everyone to visit and relish the moments.