In a predominantly Muslim economy that still treasures spiritual experiences, the holy city of Mecca and other historical religious sites are sought after travel destinations.
Traveling has become a trend among the growing Indonesian middle-class, which is not reluctant to spend its money, including on leisure.
Religious trips to Mecca in the form of the haj, a mandatory Islamic pilgrimage for those financially and physically able, and the more minor trip, known as umrah, have been trips that many have preferred for their first and subsequent journeys abroad.
In 2012, the Religious Affairs Ministry directorate general for haj and umrah recorded around 500,000 people visiting Mecca for umrah in 2012, about 7 percent of the total 7.3 million Indonesians vacationing abroad last year.
Saudi Arabia has become a favorite destination next to Singapore, Malaysia and Australia.
Irfan Hakim, a TV presenter and actor, said going to Mecca had brought a certain kind of happiness that no other journey could offer.
"There is a longing to return again after my first visit. When I reach home, I always miss the Holy Land," said Irfan, who has gone on the minor pilgrimage three times and has gone on haj pilgramages since 2005.
"You just feel the need to recharge your faith in the House of God," he added, referring to the Kaaba, a shrine in Mecca that is considered the most sacred building for Muslims.
As Saudi Arabia limits the number of pilgrims from each country performing the haj and has reduced Indonesia's haj pilgrim quota to 168,000 this year, those who cannot wait choose umrah.
The waiting list to perform haj has become so long that a new registrant this year is listed for departure 10 years from now.
Umrah can be done in a maximum 15 days, while the haj can take up to 40 days. The haj can only be done in a certain month during a year, in the last month of Dzulhijjah in the Islamic calendar, but people can go on umrah trips at anytime of the year, outside the haj season and Ramadhan.
Irfan plans another minor pilgrimage with his whole family. "For umrah, I've done it with my wife and with my employees at different times. One day, I'd love to take my children for umrah once they are older," he says.
An ultimate feeling of serenity and a heavenly relationship with the Creator seems to be Muslims' number one reason to keep on returning to Mecca.
"Being in Mecca for both the haj and umrah means you're just focusing yourself on God, forgetting your life back in the country, your job — everything that is worldly for a little while," said Rini Sulistyati, who has been on the haj once and umrah several times.
She said she loved to pray at the Grand Mosque, Masjid al-Haram, which is built surrounding the Kaaba. Rini said each trip was a blessing as she continuously learned new things.
"Besides fulfilling my personal spiritual need — like following the prophet's struggle in spreading the religion and touching the Kaaba, I can also send prayers to all Muslims in the world, and even exchange stories with a Palestinian pilgrim, while I'm there," she said.
For umrah, Rini used to do the trip alone. After joining some tours that were set up by travel agents, Rini found a frequent companion with whom she has pledged to do umrah every couple of years.
"My umrah partner comes from Lampung. I met her on one my of umrah trips. As soon as we knew each other, we just felt a good connection regarding the religious trips. So, we decided to team up," she said.
Muharom Ahmad, secretary-general of the Indonesia Association of Haj and Umrah Private Operators (Himpuh), said the long wait for the haj as well as better religious awareness and economic situation had helped increase the number of umrah trips over the past several years.
"The middle-class families, whose kids mostly go to Islamic-based schools, tend to alternate their annual holidays to umrah. It's a good sign when we're talking about the Islamic faith," he said.
Muharom observed most people would go alone on their first umrah.
"For repeat tours, they will usually bring their family members. Some companies treat umrah as a reward for their employees."
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