Okaz/Saudi Gazette MAKKAH — The Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry has reported that hotel occupancy in the holy city rose to 85 percent during the last 10 days of Ramadan. Domestic pilgrims coming to Makkah during the last 10 days of Ramadan have replaced 95 percent of the Qatari pilgrims who had canceled their trips. Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry Executive Board member Saad Al-Qurashi said the number of domestic pilgrims increased compared to the last year. "About 85 percent of the hotels in Makkah and around the Grand Mosque are currently occupied. The hotels are ready to receive the increasing number of pilgrims foreseen by the Kingdom's vision of 2030. The Kingdom aims to have a capacity to host 15 million pilgrims by 2020 and 30 million pilgrims by 2030," said Al-Qurashi. He added that he anticipated an increase in profits this year due to the high number of shoppers and hotel guests. He also said Madinah should increase the number of hotels it has to be able to accommodate a greater number of pilgrims.
