’Five-star’ pilgrims weather economic crisis storm
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Radikal
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Haziran 16, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - The popularity of "five-star" pilgrimages to Mecca is still high among Turks, despite the global economic crisis.
The cost of a standard pilgrimage is 2,200 euros, while pilgrims staying in luxury hotels close to Ka’bah pay about 12,000 euros. But the economic crisis has had no effect on luxury pilgrimages, according to Turgut Şimşek, a partner at Vizyon Tourism, which is one of the oldest in the pilgrimage sector and provides five-star pilgrimage services.
Şimşek said interest in the five-star pilgrimages started in the early 2000s and has increased since. "People say, ’I go only once, so let it be the most comfortable one.’ Moreover, there are even people who sell their cars for this," Şimşek said. A record 750,000 people applied this year to the Religious Affairs Directorate for the pilgrimage. Among the total applications, 74,000 will be able to go for the pilgrimage.
However, the percentage of people who would chose a luxury pilgrimage does not exceed five, Şimşek said. The increase in number of luxurious hotels in Mecca affects the demand as well, according to Şimşek.
The closest hotels to Ka’bah are ZemZem Tower and Hilton. Şimşek said they use these two hotels. At the ZemZem Hotel, an all-inclusive trip including 12 days and transportation is 11,000 euros. At the Hilton it is 12,000 euros. Pilgrims who prefer a standard trip can choose rooms with a Ka’bah view and pay 2,500 euros, Şimşek said. "Moreover there are also couples who demand suit rooms. They pay 5,000 euros more for this," he said.
Şimşek’s company will take 350 people on the pilgrimage this year. They mostly host prominent businesspeople. "Artists generally prefer us, too. For instance this year we will bring singer Emel Sayın for Umrah for the second time," he said.
Average age for going on Hajj pilgrimage on decline
Şimşek said the average age for going on a pilgrimage is on the decline. "The average age was 65 just 15 years ago, but now it has declined to 44.
The idea that when you get older you go on a pilgrimage has changed," he said, adding that for Umrah the average age even falls to 30. However, preferring the luxury in Umrah is more than the pilgrimage, according to Şimşek.
There are denizens for Umrah visits, he said, adding that it is the second Umrah visit for 80 percent of visitors. In luxury pilgrimage packages there are many additional services such as an information seminar prior to the visit, two physicians in the pilgrimage convoy for any health problems and special tents used in the region for pilgrims.
Şimşek said interest in the five-star pilgrimages started in the early 2000s and has increased since. "People say, ’I go only once, so let it be the most comfortable one.’ Moreover, there are even people who sell their cars for this," Şimşek said. A record 750,000 people applied this year to the Religious Affairs Directorate for the pilgrimage. Among the total applications, 74,000 will be able to go for the pilgrimage.
However, the percentage of people who would chose a luxury pilgrimage does not exceed five, Şimşek said. The increase in number of luxurious hotels in Mecca affects the demand as well, according to Şimşek.
The closest hotels to Ka’bah are ZemZem Tower and Hilton. Şimşek said they use these two hotels. At the ZemZem Hotel, an all-inclusive trip including 12 days and transportation is 11,000 euros. At the Hilton it is 12,000 euros. Pilgrims who prefer a standard trip can choose rooms with a Ka’bah view and pay 2,500 euros, Şimşek said. "Moreover there are also couples who demand suit rooms. They pay 5,000 euros more for this," he said.
Şimşek’s company will take 350 people on the pilgrimage this year. They mostly host prominent businesspeople. "Artists generally prefer us, too. For instance this year we will bring singer Emel Sayın for Umrah for the second time," he said.
Average age for going on Hajj pilgrimage on decline
Şimşek said the average age for going on a pilgrimage is on the decline. "The average age was 65 just 15 years ago, but now it has declined to 44.
The idea that when you get older you go on a pilgrimage has changed," he said, adding that for Umrah the average age even falls to 30. However, preferring the luxury in Umrah is more than the pilgrimage, according to Şimşek.
There are denizens for Umrah visits, he said, adding that it is the second Umrah visit for 80 percent of visitors. In luxury pilgrimage packages there are many additional services such as an information seminar prior to the visit, two physicians in the pilgrimage convoy for any health problems and special tents used in the region for pilgrims.