General Travel News
Umrah pilgrim figures may hit 4mn this year
The National Committee for Haj and Umrah, Saudi Arabia, predicted that around four million Umrah pilgrims are expected in Mecca this year. This is a 15 per cent increase from last year when the figure stood at 3.1 million.
The hotel industry in the region is particularly excited about this expected surge. “We have high hopes for 2010 and are well placed to welcome guests to the holy city of Mecca," said Omar Boujlid, General Manager of Mövenpick Hotel & Residence Hajar Tower Mecca. "Following the global market stagnation observed in 2009, this year we have so far witnessed strong demand and have welcomed many new guests looking to experience a calming, spiritual stay in the Holy City." Boujlid said his hotel expects a boost in occupancy and has added 129 rooms to the hotel to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims.
The Mövenpick Hotel & Residence Hajar Tower Mecca, part of the prestigious Abraj Al Bait complex, was inaugurated in November 2009.
More General Travel News
Latest Travel News
Featured Sights To See
Arlington Cemetery
Washington DC, United States
The grounds of Arlington Cemetery serve as a resting place for many national heroes and more than 300,000 American soldiers, veterans, and dependents. The Tomb of the Unknowns, a final resting place for unknown soldiers killed in both the World Wars, the Korean War, and until 1997, the Vietnam War as well as President John F. Kennedy's grave are located here. Virginia side of...
Central Market
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Known as the Art Deco Central Market, this vibrant bazaar has been around since 1936 and has grown to hold over 130 arts and crafts shops along with regular cultural performances. Before such a cultural explosion, the Central Market was popular for being KL's top destination when buying fresh produce. In 1986 the market took a turn and became what it is today: a conglomeration of diverse items so...
Geology Museum
Bucharest, Romania
The building of this museum was constructed in 1906 by Victor Stefanescu and has been declared an architectural monument because of its style and class. It was first built as part of the project of the Romanian Geology Institute and was later given an independent status. Today the collection in the museum is so varied that it houses about 80,000 samples of rock, minerals and fossils dating back to...
Maqaam-e-Ishmael
Makkah, Saudi Arabia
This is the spot where the Abraham (AS) took Ishmael (AS) to be slaughtered. At the time when Abraham was about to use his knife, the Angel Gabriel appeared with a lamb, which was then sacrificed when God pardoned Ishmael and Abraham. The Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated in remembrance of this act. It is also the inspiration for the Hadi or a sacrifice as part of the Hajj on the 10 Zil...