The Influence of Personal Factors on Hajj Crowd Perception among African Pilgrim Group in Mina

Abstract

Objective: This paper examines the effects of personal factors (expectation, control, sociability and mood) on perceived crowding levels among African group of pilgrims. Methods/Statistical Analysis: Data was collected via self-administered questionnaire from 156 African pilgrims to Hajj. The data was analyzed using SPSS for descriptive analysis and AMOS for Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Internal consistency of the developed research instrument, Kaiser-Meyer- Olkin measure of sampling adequacy and exploratory factor analysis revealed that the research instrument was suitable. Findings: Among the African pilgrim group measurement model, control and sociability had the highest correlation while expectation and perceived level of crowding had the lowest correlation. Furthermore, control personal factor had the least insignificant impact on perceived level of crowding. Expectation and mood personal factors were both significant factors in this study. Applications/Improvements: Policy formation on managing crowd levels and perception will invariably be strategic via incorporating the findings of this paper. Future research will be extended to assess the effects of other factors such as physical factors Hajj pilgrims.