Abstract
The recent and continuing phenomenal growth in the numbers undertaking the pilgrimage to Mecca is considered against the backcloth of the host region's finite resources. A multiple-regression model is developed which seeks to explain the present pattern of pilgrim movement and to predict future numbers. Insights are provided into the actual stage-by-stage development towards the final model. The assumptions implicit within our evaluations are clearly and unequivocably indicated and discussed. Improved levels of explanation result from more-realistic data inputs. Future pilgrim numbers are predicted for 1983 and 1993. The problem of the ever increasing numbers of pilgrims is briefly alluded to and interim measures are suggested.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.