RIYADH: Hotel rates in Makkah and Madinah have seen a significant increase due to the December holidays in Gulf countries, according to reports from Saudi news agencies.
The hospitality sector stated that hotels in the central areas of the two holy cities have recorded a 40% rise in rates compared to November, largely driven by advance bookings from Gulf families.
Hotels located outside the central districts have also experienced a price increase, though at a relatively lower rate of 15–20% compared to November. Experts note that National Day celebrations and school holidays in Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE have prompted a surge in travel.
Hundreds of Gulf citizens and expatriates have made advance bookings for Umrah and ziyarat, contributing to the spike in hotel prices. Reports indicate that bookings in both cities are now fully reserved for the first week of December.
Authorities predict that hotel rates may stabilize by mid-December, but they are expected to rise again during the peak Umrah season, when large numbers of pilgrims arrive in the holy cities.