JEDDAH, 27 November 2003 — Prominent Saudi businessmen have urged the authorities to let the millions of foreign pilgrims travel throughout the country in order to help the economy benefit from the SR5 billion or so they bring with them.
They said businesses in regions other than Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah, especially the country’s tourist spots, could benefit from pilgrims’ spending during Haj and Umrah seasons if travel restrictions were relaxed.
Adel Faqeeh, chairman of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said relaxation of travel restrictions would help residents in all parts of the Kingdom benefit Haj and Umrah seasons.
“Pilgrims must be encouraged to visit all parts of the Kingdom,” Al-Watan newspaper quoted Faqeeh as saying.
However, Faqeeh added security forces must ensure that pilgrims do not overstay their visas.
The new Umrah system aims to eliminate the problem of overstayers, while the Passports Department regularly carries out raids to flush out overstayers.
Ziyad Bassam, a member of the Jeddah chamber’s board of directors, also urged authorities to review the rules restricting pilgrim travel in the Kingdom. “The Saudi economy will benefit if pilgrims are allowed to visit the nearby tourist resorts and historical places,” he added.
“Many pilgrims have expressed their desire to visit markets and historical sites in other regions. If we allow them to do so it will help boost small-scale businesses and industries in the country,” he said. “There must be coordination between government departments to work out innovative ideas to boost the economy,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Haj Ministry has said it will take strict action against a Umrah company for selling 255 visas to pilgrims without providing them with transport and accommodation.
A ministry squad arranged accommodation for the pilgrims who were squatting in the courtyard of the Grand Mosque in Makkah. According to Al-Madinah daily, the ministry contacted a company representative but the company did not cooperate.
