DOHA: Riyadh’s decision to cut the number of Umrah pilgrims this year may cause a hike in tariffs, say tour operators.
Due to ongoing construction and maintenance works at the holy premises in Makkah, Saudi Arabia has imposed a 50 percent cut in the quota, restricting the number of pilgrims to a maximum half a million, a local Arabic daily reported yesterday.
The move is expected to have a bigger impact on expatriates in Qatar wishing to go for Umrah during the coming months. Last year, some 20,000 expatriates from Qatar went for the pilgrimage, said the daily.
A high demand from prospective pilgrims and less seats could cause a hike in the charges. The fee for visa charged by the tour operators is expected to go up from QR300 to QR600 and the accommodation and transportation charges could also see a significant increase.
Many tour operators have already entered into agreements with service providers in Saudi Arabia anticipating an increase in the number of pilgrims. The unexpected move by the Saudi government reducing the quota might force them to raise the charges to make up the losses, said the daily.
According to new rules, Umrah pilgrims should leave Saudi Arabia in 14 days after their entry. Once maintenance works in Makkah are completed, the number of pilgrims are expected to be doubled.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has proposed to establish a new company to operate Haj and Umrah trips, replacing the existing tour operators. Haj and Umrah trips are currently organised by licensed companies owned by citizens. The Ministry has also decided not to renew the licences of operators aged above 60 years. Accordingly two operators have already been told that their licences will not be renewed, reported another local Arabic daily. The Peninsula
