Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.arabianbusiness.com/564082-makkah-hotels-see-fall-in-pilgrimage-bookings
Saudi pilgrims cancel bookings amid swine flu fears
by Joanne BladdThis on Thursday, 06 August 2009
Hotels in the Saudi city of Makkah are reporting a surge in booking cancellations just weeks before Ramadan begins, as swine flu fears take their toll on travellers.
Ramadan typically signals the start of high season for hotels based in and around of Makkah. More than two million Muslims flock to the holy city each year during the fasting month, to perform the minor pilgrimage of umrah.
At the Makkah Hilton & Towers, popular for its close proximity to the Al Haram Mosque and the cube-shaped Kaaba building at its centre, bookings for the Ramadan season are down more than 20 percent.
Saudi pilgrims cancel bookings amid swine flu fears
by Joanne BladdThis on Thursday, 06 August 2009
Hotels in the Saudi city of Makkah are reporting a surge in booking cancellations just weeks before Ramadan begins, as swine flu fears take their toll on travellers.
Ramadan typically signals the start of high season for hotels based in and around of Makkah. More than two million Muslims flock to the holy city each year during the fasting month, to perform the minor pilgrimage of umrah.
At the Makkah Hilton & Towers, popular for its close proximity to the Al Haram Mosque and the cube-shaped Kaaba building at its centre, bookings for the Ramadan season are down more than 20 percent.