Since Haj season ended, it is now Umrah season and pilgrimage packages cut on their prices in anticipation of low demands. Now they are offered at almost 25% percent lower price than what they are from October to February. It can be noted that the authorities had temporarily suspended Umrah from May 23 to June 6 to allow for the preparation of Haj.
Several Umrah agents that this author interviewed cited the main reason for high rates as being the prevailing scorching heat occasioned by the end of the summer season. Umrah pilgrimage is not as popular during the hot summer months and this has reduced the prices of packages by about 25 per cent, said Ahmed, a travel agent at Tourism Abu Hail.
Delayed Umrah
Some of the United Arab Emirates nationals are choosing to reschedule their Umrah to the month of September when it will be slightly cooler. Arif Hassan, a 48-year-old man, living in Deira, had a planned Umrah trip in July. But after having knowledge about the death incidents that occurred during this year’s Haj, he reshaped his decision and preferred a trip in September.
“I was supposed to take my children and my mother to do the pilgrimage, however, the weather is not favorable to us currently It will almost be impossible,” remarked Hassan.
Pilgrims continue to die during this year’s Haj; 1,301 lost their lives in the scorching heat.
This year the pilgrimage was during summer and it was extremely hot, in some areas hitting temperatures of 50 degrees centigrade.
Some can stay for a long time in the heat without proper shelter or even be given a break.
Peak rates
The package rates during the cooler months may rise to Dh 3200 by air and Dh 1600 by bus.
“Today the cost of the four days Umrah by air package is Dh2,500 and by bus is Dh1,100 as per Ahmed.” Shihab Parwaz of Rehan Tourism said to the media that the packages had increased almost threefold its original price during the last ten days of the holy month of Ramadan.
But some agents noted that they are going to ask for Dh3,200 because they include better services such as food and accommodation, near the vicinity of the mosque.
“They had stated that most of the hotels closer to the holy sites are fully booked all year round But we arrange for rooms, make sure we hold a certain number of rooms so we can be in a position to provide them to our clients as and when they want,” said Ahmed.
Umrah visas
Saudi authorities are now granting visas for Umrah and pilgrims will have to anyway pay an additional Dh 200 for a single entry visa.
The new season for performing Umrah began in Muharram 1145 AH, July 9. Those willing to carry out the ritual can apply for the e-visas via the Nusuk app.
Parwaz quoted that even if UAE residents who would like to have a travel to Madinah, crowds were still jam-packed. “Most of the Haj pilgrims who visited Saudi Arabia are now returning to their homes while a large number is still in Madinah engaging in devotion,” he said.
“And there are always many faithful tourists even during hot summer it seemed to me that it is important to give them the best shelter and services,” Parwaz concluded.
Madinah is not an obligatory trip under Haj or Umrah. Actually one can either go to Madinah before or after the pilgrimage. Nevertheless, the importance of the Prophet’s city, his mosque, and the sacred tomb is enough to drive many people to desire going there as pilgrims.
Umrah agents have also responded to this by indicating that UAE residents can go to any airport within KSA to undertake Umrah. Before the Haj season, other airports remained closed and people could only travel through only four airports.