JEDDAH: Hotel occupancy rates in Makkah reached 90 percent due to Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the Holy Capital during this Umrah season and mid-academic year vacations, according to an online newspaper.

Sources in the hospitality sector in Makkah say that occupancy levels normally rise during Umrah season and the mid-academic year vacations near the Grand Mosque as people come for Umrah in large numbers, and enjoy the cold weather of the Kingdom.

Husam Mahmood, in charge of reservations at one the biggest hotels in the central region, said that every year in this season occupancy rises to 90 percent. He said that the price of hotels which are closer to the Grand Mosque also rises; hotels which have a view of the Grand Mosque become costlier.

The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage of Makkah revealed that it prepared 795 accommodation facilities for this season which have 155,000 rooms.

According to the commission, there has been a significant increase in the reservations in these facilities.