JEDDAH, 2 July 2004 — Nearly 600,000 pilgrims have been targeted under the recently introduced summer Umrah program, according to Hashim Khalid Madani, project manager of the program.
“Summer Umrah guests have started coming under the program launched on June 15. The number is increasing by the hour as one or other flight is landing at short intervals bringing them,” Madani told Arab News yesterday. “We are well-prepared, willing and able to host them and meet the target by the time the first program ends on Sept. 15,” he added.
He clarified that the Haj Ministry is “kind of a hand-holder‚ a supervisor, a guide. It has brought together some companies after strict scrutiny of their track record and created a consortium of different Umrah service providers in a temporary partnership lasting from June 15 to Sept. 15.”
The exclusive packages under the summer Umrah program are custom-made, based on studies of different countries and their cultures, and reflect their preferences, choices and interests. “The aim is to create something like the tourist packages, which are trustworthy, reliable and provide quality service,” he said.
The program is aimed at pulling traffic from the peak periods and spread it out to lean periods, so that the pilgrims can avoid rush and over-crowding. They can perform the rites in a more relaxed manner and also see Islamic, historical, and other interesting sites in Makkah, Madinah and Jeddah.
There are 52 companies carefully chosen by the Ministry of Haj. A special website—www.summerumrah.com — has been created to provide information about the program. Moreover, toll-free numbers have been provided worldwide for people to get information in the language of their country. They get automated answers and are guided to the Umrah package reseller nearest to them.
A wide variety of packages are available with site-seeing tours and shopping included. There is free health insurance coverage for all guests. Arrangements have been made for meet and assist on arrival as well as departure. Easily identifiable meet and assist personnel help in airport clearance, Madani said.
