19 May 2016
JEDDAH: A drop in prices of up to 40 percent for Umrah packages has resulted in more pilgrims arriving this year compared to the same period last year, according to a report in a local publication on Wednesday.
Abdullah Al-Qadi, vice president of the national committee for Haj and Umrah, was quoted as saying that there was an increase in 250,000 pilgrims or 5 percent, to 5.5 million for the period under review.
Al-Qadi said an expected 1 million more pilgrims are expected for Ramadan this year, which would further boost the numbers. "When the Umrah season started we noticed a drop in the numbers, especially during the first four months," Al-Qadi told the publication.
He said that meetings were held with the Ministry of Haj and Umrah to discuss the reasons for this drop, which included global economic conditions and holidays in other countries not coinciding with the start of the season.
He said prices were reduced by 30 to 40 percent, unlike other seasons when there was only a drop of about 10 percent. This resulted in a rise in numbers within two months.
This season would also be better because of the removal of the temporary bridge on the mataf, the circumambulation area around the Kaaba. This would allow pilgrims to perform Umrah easier.
JEDDAH: A drop in prices of up to 40 percent for Umrah packages has resulted in more pilgrims arriving this year compared to the same period last year, according to a report in a local publication on Wednesday.
Abdullah Al-Qadi, vice president of the national committee for Haj and Umrah, was quoted as saying that there was an increase in 250,000 pilgrims or 5 percent, to 5.5 million for the period under review.
Al-Qadi said an expected 1 million more pilgrims are expected for Ramadan this year, which would further boost the numbers. "When the Umrah season started we noticed a drop in the numbers, especially during the first four months," Al-Qadi told the publication.
He said that meetings were held with the Ministry of Haj and Umrah to discuss the reasons for this drop, which included global economic conditions and holidays in other countries not coinciding with the start of the season.
He said prices were reduced by 30 to 40 percent, unlike other seasons when there was only a drop of about 10 percent. This resulted in a rise in numbers within two months.
This season would also be better because of the removal of the temporary bridge on the mataf, the circumambulation area around the Kaaba. This would allow pilgrims to perform Umrah easier.
© Arab News 2016
