Makkah – During the last ten days of Ramadan month, hotels in Makkah were fully booked as the number of persons visiting the holy city for Umrah reached over two million persons from all over the world.
Hotel manager of Conrad Makkah Hotel Ismail Siri told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the number of people coming for Umrah during Ramadan month doubled during the last ten days of the holy month.
Siri said that this shall increase the competition between facilities and improve hotel services.
According to Siri, the increased demand, especially from Gulf citizens, will lead to raise in rooms’ prices of five stars hotels and condos that are close to the Holy Makkah. He added that new hotels opened were fully booked including the Conrad Makkah.
Siri explained that hotels’ proximity to the Holy Makkah and the services they provide are the reason the hotels are fully booked during this time.
He went on to say that the rooms’ prices ranged between SR8 thousands, SR10 thousands, SR20 thousands, SR40 thousands, and SR50 thousands based on the location of the hotel.
One of the hotels managements Emad Mahmoud explained to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that hotel prices increased by the beginning of Ramadan month and doubled during the last week. He added that most hotels in Makkah are 100% booked.
Mahmoud pointed out that during the last ten days of Ramadan, all rooms in hotels and furnished apartments have been occupied especially those that provide excellent services.
Reception manager at one of Makkah hotels Ali Falatah said that hotel management and room pricing follows the strategy of supply and demand. He told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the hotels follow the rules of the official committees. He added that despite some leaving to Medina to visit Prophet Mohammed’s (PBUH) Holy Shrine, many return to Makkah later on.
It is worth mentioning that the Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage, Makkah Regional Office revealed that touristic facilities are 795 including 697 hotels of which 22 are five stars, 26 four stars, 147 three stars, 112 two stars, and 98 residential units.