JEDDAH, 31 March 2005 — Foreign Umrah pilgrims will be charged SR36 each for additional services provided outside the package, according to Saad Al-Suleimani, director of marketing at Bab Al-Umrah Company.
Speaking to Arab News, Suleimani said the amount will be deducted directly from the accounts of foreign Umrah service providers.
More than three million pilgrims are expected to perform Umrah this year, 30,000 more than last year.
Al-Tasheel Al-Haditha, a Jeddah-based company, has been licensed to pick the pilgrims from airports, seaports and other entry points and drop them back.
Suleimani said the new charge would cover additional transportation and lodging services as well as awareness programs. The charge levied on pilgrims coming by sea is SR10.
Suleimani said the money would be used for transportation of pilgrims from and to entry points and arrange accommodation for them at pilgrim cities.
“The new measure will reduce the problem of pilgrims squatting in streets and other public places for want of proper accommodation,” he said. The Haj Ministry will launch a campaign among pilgrims within and outside the Kingdom to enhance their awareness.
Meanwhile, the Shoura Council yesterday endorsed the new domestic pilgrims law, which stipulates that the fees Haj service companies charge must be in tune with the quality of service they provide. It also stipulates punishments for violators.
As per the new law the Haj Ministry will prepare a model contract to be signed by pilgrims with service providers. The contract must state all the services offered by domestic service providers.
