Saudi Arabia set to welcome 1 million Haj pilgrims after eased visa and Covid rules
This year, Saudi is all set to welcome one million visitors for Haj in July, according to official sources.
This will be the first time in two years that international visitors will be able to perform the pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, Mohammed Bin Mahfouz – CEO and co-founder of Umrahme, said the number of people visiting Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah pilgrimage during Ramadan skyrocketed due to relaxed Covid-19 restrictions and visa rule changes this year.
“The number of visitors is almost 80 per cent of what the numbers were during pre-pandemic times,” said Bin Mahfouz. “And the occupancy rate at the Haram during the last ten days of Ramadan was at 95 per cent. It is a welcome change after two years of this unprecedented pandemic. The season got off to a slow start. However, as restrictions eased and visa rules were changed, the pace really picked up.”
Bin Mahfouz was talking to Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the ongoing ATM in Dubai.
Over six million Umrah permits were issued by the Kingdom in Ramadan alone. In March this year, Saudi Arabia suspended social distancing measures for the two holy mosques — Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s (PBUH) mosque — among other mosques, as well as in all open and closed places. Masks, though not required outdoors, must be worn inside mosques and other indoor facilities.
In addition, Saudi Arabia allowed online providers like Umrahme to provide direct packages to individuals.
“Usually,umrahhasalwaysbeen B2B,” Bin Mahfouz said. “Earlier, customers who wanted to perform Umrah could only book through local travel agents and had to submit their passports for visa issuance. However, with online providers like Umrahme, people can book the full package, including getting their visas issued in just four hours online without submitting their passport.”
Saudi Arabia’s recent decision to drop the rule that women below 45 needed a male mahram (blood-relative) to accompany them for Umrah and Haj is also expected to have an impact on the number of visitors
“We have usually seen a lot of demand from women below 45 who want to perform the pilgrimage,” he said. “The new rules have come towards the end of the season so we are not yet able to gauge the response,” Bin Mahfouz added.