Umrah Plus projected to earn SR 150 million

The Umrah Plus program costs 25 percent more than the regular Umrah program, but will earn around SR 150 million during the first phase of its implementation alone, said program supervisors.
Makkah is witnessing a steady growth in Umrah Plus pilgrims from outside Saudi Arabia. The program also includes tourist trips, besides the Umrah rituals.
Umrah companies seek to activate the Umrah Plus program in cooperation with companies specialized in tourist guidance. They want to meet the wishes of many pilgrims to visit some archaeological sites, heritage and religious monuments in Makkah in addition to other tourist sites in the Kingdom.
Saad Al-Qurashi, board member of Makkah Chamber of Commerce, told Al-Eqtisadiah newspaper: “We have seen during this year a remarkable increase in the demand for the Umrah Plus program.”
A similar program had existed previously until the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) canceled it. There had been issues with Umrah performers who were overstaying their visa.
Al-Qurashi called on Umrah and tourism specialists to prepare religious monuments and sites for visitors, especially since some of these are located in rugged mountainous areas that might be dangerous to inexperienced visitors.
Al-Qurashi said that Umrah companies, among 50 licensed to provide Umrah services, have begun to submit their application to the SCTA to get the required permits to conduct this activity. Umrah companies will have several tourist programs packaged with their Umrah program.