JEDDAH, 29 March 2003 — Malaysia is relaxing its visa procedures for the Haj and Umrah International Haj Umrah Travel Mart 2003 in Kuala Lumpur. The event is to last three days from April 15, followed by a similar exhibition in Jakarta from April 24.
Haj and Umrah are becoming increasingly important in Malaysia and the entire Far East.
“As demand from pilgrims continues to rise from the region, we want to make Malaysia the hub for Haj and Umrah operations,” Abdul Rahim Abdullah of Jurusan Acura, the organizers of the mart, told travel agents.
A 50-member Saudi delegation, representing among others the Ministry of Haj, the Organization of Islamic Conference, the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Ummul Qura University, is set to give presentations at the mart.
“Saudis have already booked 25 of 40 stands at the mart. Agents and operators from South Africa, Egypt, Syria, Iran, Indonesia and Singapore have taken most of the other stands,” Abdullah said.
The mart will focus on locations and procedures for Haj and Umrah as well as on some of the tourist attractions of the Kingdom, including Riyadh, Taif, Asir, Jeddah and the Eastern Province.
Abdullah said 25,000 to 45,000 Haj pilgrims have been coming from Malaysia every year, their stay averaging 10 nights each. Another 75,000 come for the year-long Umrah season. Malaysia has 23 licensed or registered companies engaged in transporting pilgrims.
Malaysia recorded an increase in tourism from 12.77 million in 2001 to 13.29 million in 2002, including 45,000 from the Kingdom, Zalizam Zakaria, tourism consul at the Malaysian Consulate, said.
