By ARAB NEWS
MAKKAH: There has been an unprecedented increase in the occupancy rates of hotels and residential apartments in Makkah this year thanks to the huge inflow of Umrah pilgrims.
Some hotels are fully booked for the peak Umrah season this year, according to an official.
“This tremendous increase was attributed mainly to the coincidence of the peak Umrah season with the annual summer vacation this year,” said Waleed Abu Sabaa, chairman of the Committee for Hotels and Tourism at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The turbulent situation in some Arab countries forced many Saudi vacationers to cancel trips abroad.
This would also be a positive factor in boosting the religious tourism industry, Al-Eqtisadiah business daily reported, quoting industry sources.
A huge increase in the inflow of Umrah pilgrims from the Arab and Muslim countries is expected over July and August, corresponding to Shaaban and Ramadan.
Categories: Asia, Islam, Saudi Arabia