Saudi- Hotels half empty as schools open

(MENAFN- Arab News) Children's new bedtimes for school are keeping families away from entertainment venues leading to a sharp dip in revenues following an extravagant 100-percent occupancy rate during Ramadan and Eid.

Hotel receptionist Mohammed Muhsain told Arab News that occupancy rates have dropped by 50 percent over the past week.

He attributes this decline to the lack of domestic tourists in the wake of the new school year as well as the end of the Umrah season which helped hotels thrive.

Ahmed Abdul Khaleq a receptionist at a furnished house rent company said that business thrived in the last season before it hit a low.

'High numbers of Gulf nationals opted to spend the Eid holiday in the Kingdom' he said.

Abdul Khaleq explained that Umrah pilgrims had come from outside of Jeddah. Visitors had mostly come from Riyadh Tabuk Dammam and Madinah.

However the upcoming Haj holiday is expected to give the Jeddah market a much-needed push.

Mohammed Al-Shalawi's trip to find a hotel in Jeddah was never easier. Coming from Riyadh to the coastal city Al-Shalawi came to spend summer time with the family post-Eid. 'I found a furnished apartment at the Corniche for a tempting price he said. 'Such a price was impossible during last Ramadan where prices had soared forcing me to stay with a friend.'