ISLAMABAD – Millions link of Muslims link visitlink the two holy citiesof Makkah link andMadinah annually, with more than 6 millionlink umrah visas issuedthis year so far, but their shopping needs to be stimulated with a greateroffering of specialty products that showcase Saudi Arabialink and the twoholy cities.
Egyptians top link the listof spending, according to the head of the tourism and hotels committee atthe Makkah link Chamberlink of Commercelink and Industrylink Aziz Awliyaa.
“Egyptians top link the listof spending, followed by Iraqis, Algerians and Turks,” in an interview withArab link newslink he said, adding there was aconnection between the pilgrim’s economy back home and his or herpurchasing power and aspirations when in Saudi Arabialink.
“A pilgrim spends an average of $700 during a period of 10 days, five daysspent in Madinah and five days spent in Makkahlink.” Saad JameelAl-Qurashi, the former chairman of the National Committee for Hajjlink and Umrah at the Makkahlink Chamberlink of Commercelink and Industrylink, said thatdifferent nationalities spent different lengths of time in the Kingdom.
“Indian, Pakistani link andBangladeshi nationals prefer to stay for 30 days, while some Egyptianpilgrims prefer to stay up to 20 days,” he told.
He said that pilgrims spent up to $1,000 in a 10-day period.
Pilgrim spending in Makkahlink and Madinah needs tobe examined and encouraged, Hajjlink and Umrah sectorexperts told Arab link News.
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Data from link the Hajjlink Ministry, releasedearlier this month, showed that the largest number of pilgrims are fromlink Pakistanlink (1,353,625) followed by Indonesialink (881,459), Indialink (579,443),Egypt link (405,750) and Turkeylink (279,038).
Al-Qurashi said that one way to cater for a diverse international audiencewas to globalize food link and beverageoutlets.
“There is a need to open foreign restaurants in Makkahlink to give pilgrims theopportunity to leave their hotels, visitlink these restaurants andtaste dishes in a modern setting that stimulates the hospitality sector andsupports diversity for more than 150 nationalities that meet in one placeduring Ramadanlinkexplained that purchasing power was not just determined by nationality orthe economic situation in a pilgrim’s home country.
There was also a desire to find added value, he said. “Pilgrims are keen tobuy link items that they donot find in their countries and that imposes the challenge of diversifyingmarkets link so theycater to the pilgrims’ various requirement.”
