Over 40% of the people who check in at the Mövenpick Hotel & Residence Hajar Tower Makkah are from the GCC, with the biggest contingent coming in from Saudi Arabia, followed by visitors from Kuwait and the UAE. The hotel also receives a large number of guests from Morocco, Egypt, Turkey, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Tourism contributed 47 billion riyals – 2.7% of gross domestic product – to the Saudi Arabian economy in 20082 driven by religious and business travel. “Recent studies predict that international tourism expenditure will grow to US$10.74 billion by 20131. We are therefore looking at targeting pilgrims from countries like the U.S.A., U.K., Canada, South Africa, Pakistan, Senegal and Nigeria. As a Swiss hospitality brand we enjoy a strong reputation for service excellence and a loyal following in these markets,” said Omar Boujlid, General Manager, Mövenpick Hotel & Residence Hajar Tower, Makkah.
These on going efforts of the Saudi Arabian government to expand tourism infrastructure in the holy cities have received a major fillip with the opening of the five-star property in Makkah, where demand for high-end hospitality is in a state of continual growth. Saudi Arabia’s religious tourism sector is set to generate upwards of US$7 billion in annual revenues in 2009, and visitor traffic is expected to grow by 6.5% annually from over 12 million in 2009 to over 15 million in 20131.
Located a few steps away from the Holy Ka’abah and overlooking the King Abdul Aziz Gate, the Mövenpick Hotel & Residence Hajar Tower offers the most convenient and comfortable accommodation for pilgrims and families arriving in Makkah for Haj or Umrah.
The recent Haj season saw the hotel running to full capacity, despite the swine flu scare that cast a shadow over the pilgrimage, underlining the growing demand for premium residential and leisure facilities in Makkah.
The first phase of the 41-storey hotel, which was opened in 2009, has 283 well-appointed rooms boasting a full set of amenities from wireless Internet to 24-hour concierge services. The hotel’s location within the Abraj Al Bait Tower also gives guests access to a wide range of lifestyle facilities.
Five world-class restaurants offering varied dining options, a six-storey shopping mall, health club and a prayer hall that can accommodate 3,000 worshippers are also part of the hotel and residences complex.
