Egypt, Indonesia and Pakistan top countries in Umrah visas

Trade Arabia Said: A total of 1.63 million Umrah visas were issued December 23 and January 20, with Egypt, Indonesia and Pakistan ranked as the top countries that received the largest number of visas. 

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Aside from the three, other countries included in the list were GCC and Arab countries like Algeria, Morocco, Jordan, Tunisia, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey among others. 

Umrah-Plus Tourism foreign pilgrims to visit historical sites

Arab news said Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA), says his organization plans to launch the “Umrah-Plus Tourism” program shortly, allowing foreign pilgrims to visit the Kingdom’s tourist resorts, historical sites and museums.

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“The SCTA will coordinate with the Foreign, Interior and Haj Ministries to implement the program,” the prince said, adding that it would have a big impact in changing the perception of Haj and Umrah pilgrims about historical sites in the country while boosting the Kingdom’s economy.

MCCI seeks hotel investors to launch Umrah firms

Arab News said leading Haj operator has called on the Ministry of Haj to give priority to the owners of hotels in Makkah and Madinah for launching Umrah companies, which the ministry plans to do in the coming days.

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Khalil Abdul Rahman Bahader, vice chairman of the committee for furnished apartments and hotels at the Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), pointed out that giving priority to the owners of hotels in the two holy cities will help prevent non-Saudis meddling with the housing market of Umrah pilgrims and visitors besides stopping speculations that raise prices during the peak season.

No reduction in Umrah visas

Haj Minister Bandar Al-Hajjar has ruled out the possibility of reducing the number of this year’s Umrah pilgrims because of the ongoing expansion projects in the Two Holy Mosques in Makkah and Madinah.

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The minister, however, said that no more than 500,000 Umrah pilgrims would be permitted to be present in Makkah and Madinah at any one time.