Okaz newspaper - Okaz's tour revealed a rise in bookings for the first period of Umrah season to reach 85-95% in most of the hotels in the central region of Mecca and surrounding areas. According to hotel officials in the central region, the night cost ranged between SAR450-1200 while the prices in the normal days ranged between SAR500-700 and rises during holidays to reach SAR700-900.The hotel officials explained that bookings began during the last two days in preparation for school mid-term breaks. Fayez Al-Saadi (a hotel official) told Okaz newspaper that "bookings exceeded 94% and there is a high demand from Saudi and Gulf citizens. Many reservations to former customers are very frequent."Mohammed Al-Omari (a hotel official) said that bookings the clients were made by clients from Riyadh, Dammam and the southern regions. He pointed that the prices in Aziziyah neighborhood reached SAR230.
Mashhour Al-Amari (an investor and owner of a travel agency in the central region) said that the Umrah season for this year is more active compared to last year since mid-term breaks coincide with the Umrah season. He added: "The single room's price ranges between SAR350-400 while Royal Suites overlooking the Holy Mosque range between SAR1100-1350.