The government’s decision to reduce the number of foreign and domestic pilgrims this year will cause the cost of Haj to increase by over 35 percent.

Saad Al-Qurashi, a member of the Haj and Umrah Committee at the Makkah Chamber for Commerce and Industry, said that the cost of Haj will increase this year to compensate for the reduced number of pilgrims, adding that the number of Umrah visitors this Ramadan has been reduced by 50 percent.

The decline in the number of pilgrims is to continue for three years, he said, adding that Haj companies are looking for solutions to any potential financial problems.

“We already have a limited number of Umrah visitors for this Ramadan, which has been reduced by 50 percent. Therefore, most Haj and Umrah companies are trying to put together a new plan to balance the reduced number of pilgrims and the price of the Haj pilgrimage,” said Al-Qurashi.

“Most Haj and Umrah companies will reorganize themselves to host fewer pilgrims. Haj and Umrah companies will increase their prices to avoid any losses caused by the decline in the number of pilgrims,” he said.

The government recently announced that it is to reduce the number of foreign pilgrims by 20 percent and domestic pilgrims by 50 percent this year. Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh has also backed the measure, saying it has been taken with the interests of the public in mind.

In 2012, domestic Haj companies increased their fees by 30 percent. One of the reasons given by the companies was that they were required to hire additional workers at a higher cost to make hurried arrangements to receive pilgrims because of the delay on the part of the Haj Ministry to allocate spaces at the holy sites.

Another reason cited for the increase in price was the rise in the price of meat and other commodities.

“The reduced number of pilgrims should reduce prices due to low demand. Haj and Umrah companies cannot agree among themselves to increase the prices of their services,” said economist Fadal Abu Ainain.

“In 2012, Haj and Umrah companies increased their prices due to high demand.

There were around 3 million pilgrims at the time. Haj and Umrah companies should avoid playing with prices this year,” he added.