JEDDAH: The service fees charged by Tawafa establishments on foreign pilgrims are likely to go up for the first time in 30 years, according to Haj Minister Fouad Al-Farsy.
“The authorities are currently reviewing the service charges of Tawafa establishments in light of increasing prices,” Al-Farsy told Al-Madinah Arabic daily.
He said the restructuring of Tawafa establishments would allow them to form companies that would provide housing, transportation and catering services to pilgrims. They would also be allowed to provide Umrah services, he added.
Al-Farsy said the Saudi government does not levy any special fees from pilgrims. “The government does not charge anything. The fees are for private organizations that provide various services. Despite the rise in prices, these fees remained stable over the past 30 years,” he said.
“The fees charged by Tawafa establishments on foreign pilgrims are meager compared to those charged by domestic pilgrim companies and considering the period of their stay in the Kingdom.
The minister hoped the establishments would be provided with commercial registrations to run service firms. “They would also be allowed to purchase companies or join them as partners. ... All these facilities are provided to help these establishments increase their revenues in order to further improve their services.”
Al-Farsy said Tawafa establishments were earlier prevented from providing housing services to pilgrims following a number of complaints. “This ban could be lifted so that the establishments could lease buildings for renting them to pilgrims and foreign Haj missions,” he added.
Foreign tourist companies will have the right to select suitable housing facilities for their pilgrims. “We would like to create an atmosphere of competition between individuals, companies and Tawafa establishments,” Al-Farsy said.
He said the growing number of pilgrims and a lack of awareness among pilgrims were the biggest challenges faced by his ministry. “In the past two years, joint efforts by the Interior Ministry and the Makkah governorate have succeeded in reducing the number of squatters in public places,” he said.
The minister urged all countries to pay special attention on raising awareness about the Haj among pilgrims before they arrive in the Kingdom. He added the government was expanding infrastructure facilities in Makkah and other holy sites to accommodate more and more pilgrims year after year.
Al-Farsy said the government has taken measures to ensure the safety of pilgrims, not just at the stoning area of Jamrat in Mina. “We have conducted a number of workshops for those who work in the services sector,” he added.
