JEDDAH, 2 January 2005 — A Haj and Umrah bazaar, described as the first of its kind, will be held here after the Haj season. Hosted jointly by the Ministry of Haj and the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JCCI), the international bazaar is set at Jeddah Hilton from April 16-19.
JCCI Vice Chairman Ghassan Ahmad Al-Sulaiman told a press conference here yesterday that the event will feature an exhibition and a forum with workshops and presentations by overseas and national participants, and galleries depicting the strides taking place in Makkah and Madinah.
The bazaar is expected to attract nearly 4,000 participants. They include 3,200 overseas tour operators, and 435 domestic Haj and 240 domestic Umrah operators, said Al-Sulaiman, who is also the chairman of the JCCI’s Jeddah Marketing Council.
“We’re targeting 200 exhibitors,” Yasser F. Al-Khouli, chief executive officer, operations & marketing of Jeddah-based Labbaik, said, adding that the event is also targeting 200 international exhibitors.
“The purpose of the bazaar is to promote Jeddah as the single marketplace for Haj and Umrah services. It will discuss the future prospects for Haj and Umrah as well as support services,” Al-Khouli said.
He emphasized that the composite Haj and Umrah industry was the second biggest in the Kingdom after oil. “It’s now an industry with an annual turnover of SR13 billion. It’s growing at the rate of seven to 10 percent annually,” Al-Khouli said.
The Arab National Education and Trading Co. is organizing the event.
“The aim also is to market Haj and Umrah services, tap and develop investment opportunities, open new markets and develop a new culture within those engaged in this branch of business,” he added.
A Haj Ministry official stressed the role of the ministry in supporting all activities aimed at developing and improving the Haj and Umrah services and said the ministry would fully cooperate with all those active in this sector.
The forum will attract large numbers of companies active in providing services to pilgrims. Tawafa organizations, air, land and sea transport companies, catering and accommodation companies, hotels, and real estate firms will be among those interested in the event.
