2008-02-17 - AME Info | Saudi Arabia | Latest News - Investments in hotels and housing units for pilgrims to Makkah amounted to more than 400bn Saudi riyals last year, according to some estimates, reported Gulf News. The city receives more than five million pilgrims every year. It is estimated that this year's Umrah season, due to start in March, will generate 20bn riyals from four million Umrah performers arriving from 140 countries. Shuja Al Zaidi, director general of Makkah Hilton Towers - overlooking the Haram of Makkah - said the tariff for a room for a single night will be 3,000 riyals. A single night in a suite costs 14,000 riyals. Despite Makkah having 2,000 hotels, including 10 five-star, and more than 7,000 other accommodation facilities, booking rooms continues to be a problem, Al Zaidi said. Al Zaidi said real estate investment in Makkah is growing rapidly due to the increasing number of pilgrims, Umrah performers and visitors.  

View full article...