JEDDAH, 11 April 2005 — Thousands of Haj and Umrah service providers will meet in Jeddah to make pilgrims’ visits to the Kingdom even more enjoyable. Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed will open the first international convention of Haj and Umrah services being held at Jeddah Hilton from April 16-19, the organizers said yesterday. The inauguration is set at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
“The convention already has confirmed the participation of representatives from 29 countries,” Dr. Ghassan Al-Sulaiman, chairman of the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JCCI), told a press conference.
Aside from the Makkah Governorate and the JCCI, the Ministry of Haj, National Haj & Umrah Committee and the Supreme Commission for Tourism are supporting the event, described a the largest of its kind. It will present a unique gathering of Haj and Umrah service providers and those offering support services, said Abdulkader M. Tonkal, director general for media, information and public relations at the Haj Ministry.
Two exhibitions will run alongside the convention. One will be dedicated to the two holy mosques and the other will showcase the quality of products and services that Haj and Umrah operators offer worldwide.
“The event is designed to further develop and promote the services for both Haj and Umrah,” said Osama El-Khereiji, chairman of the organizing committee.
Countries participating in the convention include Algeria, Bahrain, Brunei, Egypt, France, Iran, Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Morocco, Palestine, Spain, Singapore, South Africa, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, the UAE, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Specialists will address various sessions and workshops at the convention, which will have the participation of a large number of companies and establishments dealing in Haj and Umrah services.
El Khereiji said more than 500 visas had been issued for overseas participants. “Some more visas are expected to be issued before the event kicks off,” he said. “In fact, some participants may be coming on their own, and our expectation is there will be a total turnout of 2,000 overseas and in-Kingdom delegates for the event.”
The event, which essentially is meant to integrate the industry with God’s guests, will focus on the present status and future infrastructure needs for growing numbers of pilgrims. It will simplify the flow of business and bring all Haj and Umrah service providers as well as related industries under one roof to enhance quality and effectiveness; to provide a platform for networking among companies and institutions in the market; to facilitate company promotion of programs, products and services; and to initiate and develop a unified professional code among service providers.
“There will be added emphasis on orientation and training for both tour operators and pilgrims so that their transport and other arrangements from arrival to departure in the holy places are perfectly streamlined,” he said.
The event is sponsored by a host of organizations including Asharq Al-Awsat, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Aljazira Transportation, Elaf Travel and Tours and Okaz.
