MECCA Average hotel rates in Mecca were up 31% during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, compared to 2009, according to meta search engine HotelsCombined.com
Data from the website indicates that ADR for Ramadan 2010 was US$568 this year, up from US$433 during the holy month last year. Although room rates rose, pilgrims actually spent more nights in Mecca this year, averaging a full seven nights, compared to five in 2009.
Based on site traffic, visitation from Europe, South Africa, America, Australia and neighboring GCC states rose, while the number of visitors from developing countries, including Egypt, India, Pakistan and the Philippines, dropped. “We believe the drop is somewhat related to the rising hotel prices, although the drop from Pakistan may be due to the impact of the floods as well,” says Hichame Assi, head of strategy and online marketing for HotelsCombined.com.
Early indications suggest hotel prices for Hajj 2010, the annual Muslim pilgrimage, will be triple that of Ramadan 2010 for independent travelers, signifying that hoteliers are expecting record numbers of pilgrims to flock to the city on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast. “This year has shown travelers are making their hotel reservations earlier for Hajj in comparison to last year’s bookings, which were largely last-minute bookings due to the H1N1 virus,” Hichame says.