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Source: http://www.thenational.ae/business/...n-mecca-as-pilgrim-numbers-fall#ixzz36cXrkat7
Hotels cut rates in Mecca as pilgrim numbers fall
Sananda Sahoo
July 5, 2014 Updated: July 5, 2014 19:13:00
Hotels in Mecca are cutting room rates for stays after Ramadan as a reduction in pilgrim quotas and concerns about the Mers virus hit visitor numbers.
Saudi Arabia is expected to issue a similar number of visas for Haj pilgrims as last year as it continues renovation work on the Grand Mosque.
Last year, 1.3 million international pilgrims and 600,718 domestic pilgrims performed Haj, down from 1.7 million and 1.4 million respectively in 2012.
The Haj dates this year fall between October 3 and 9, but the season extends between September 20 to October 15...
Hotels cut rates in Mecca as pilgrim numbers fall
Sananda Sahoo
July 5, 2014 Updated: July 5, 2014 19:13:00
Hotels in Mecca are cutting room rates for stays after Ramadan as a reduction in pilgrim quotas and concerns about the Mers virus hit visitor numbers.
Saudi Arabia is expected to issue a similar number of visas for Haj pilgrims as last year as it continues renovation work on the Grand Mosque.
Last year, 1.3 million international pilgrims and 600,718 domestic pilgrims performed Haj, down from 1.7 million and 1.4 million respectively in 2012.
The Haj dates this year fall between October 3 and 9, but the season extends between September 20 to October 15...