Umrah service providers in Saudi Arabia are hopeful that the revenue generated from pilgrimage this year will go up to SR12 billion. According to experts, around 3.3 million Umrah pilgrims are expected to arrive in Saudi Arabia, with the most number of visitors in Ramadan, a popular month for Umrah.
The Haj Ministry has issued over 150,000 visas ever since Makkah was opened for Umrah this year, as a result of which hotels and furnished apartments in the city are reporting 100 per cent occupancy. Umrah service providers hope that the influx of pilgrims this year will help them recover from the setbacks they suffered in 2009 owing to the recession and swine flu outbreak.
Moreover, Umrah companies are doing their best to improve the quality of services provided to pilgrims. “Umrah companies have learned from past mistakes and want to avoid negative impressions,” said Abdul Hameed, who works in the tourism industry. “They are now trying to win the confidence of clients by providing them with excellent services. They have realised that only through providing prompt and excellent services they can get more clients.”
This monument is a dedication to the famous Finnish composer Jean Sibelius in the Sibelius Park. This truly is a work of art and tourist marvel. About 600 organ pieces are welded together in a ‘wave’ shape and it is situated in the center of the park. The monument was completed by Eila Hiltunen in 1967. ...
This is the spot where the Abraham (AS) took Ishmael (AS) to be slaughtered. At the time when Abraham was about to use his knife, the Angel Gabriel appeared with a lamb, which was then sacrificed when God pardoned Ishmael and Abraham. The Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated in remembrance of this act. It is also the inspiration for the Hadi or a sacrifice as part of the Hajj on the 10 Zil...
The Sistine Chapel was built within the Vatican during the time of Pope Sixtus IV.Work began on the chapel in 1477 and finished in 1480. The first mass in the chapel was celebrated on Aug 9, 1483. The Sistine Chapel is a rectangular brick building with six arched windows on each of the two main walls and a barrel vaulted ceiling. It is drab and dull from the outside but once you step into th...
The Cabildo, situated opposite the Casa Rosada is the only surviving government building from colonial times so is worth the exploration, especially if you have an interest in architecture. ...