Best Western Opens First Property in Mecca
August 14, 2013 - Located in the cultural center of Makkah (also known as Mecca), just a few minutes' drive from the Holy Mosque, Best Western PLUS Bakkah Awan Hotel is well located for the millions of travelers visiting the city for the two annual pilgrimages, the Hajj and Umrah.
As a Best Western PLUS property, the hotel features a range of upscale facilities including a restaurant, coffee shop, kid's club and business center. There is also a shuttle bus service offering transfers to the Holy Mosque.
The hotel's 152 rooms all come equipped with modern amenities such as cable television, coffee and tea making facilities, safes and refrigerators. Several adjoining rooms are available for larger groups and families, and - as with all Best Westerns around the world - internet is free in all areas of the hotel.
“Tourism in Saudi Arabia is booming. Religious and pilgrimage travel is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the industry, and Makkah is at its heart,” said Glenn de Souza, Best Western's Vice President International Operations - Asia & the Middle East.
“The city receives more than three million pilgrims during the Hajj and around six million for the Umrah, and Best Western is delighted to be able to cater for these visitors with a modern, upscale accommodation choice. We are confident that Best Western PLUS Bakkah Awan Hotel will be extremely popular with all visitors to Makkah,” Mr. de Souza added.
The opening of Best Western PLUS Bakkah Awan Hotel marks the latest phase of the company's rapid expansion in the Middle East. Only last year Best Western launched its first hotels in Saudi Arabia, Oman and Jordan, and this year the company debut in Kuwait.
By the end of 2015, Best Western plans to be operating at least 3,600 hotel rooms across 22 properties in eight Middle Eastern countries.
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