Raffles Makkah Palace

Makkah is an Islamic holy city in Saudi Arabia. Each year approximately eight million visitors travel to Saudi Arabia of which half are on religious travel. The height of the travel season at Makkah takes place during the annual Hajj pilgrimage when the holy city welcomes over two million pilgrims for the Hajj alone. Makkah is home to Masjid al-Haram also known as the Grand Mosque which houses the Kaaba the shrine which Muslims turn towards while offering daily prayers and considered to be the holiest site in Islam. In addition to the Hajj Muslims are encouraged to travel to Makkah on what is commonly known as a lesser pilgrimage or Umrah.