The number of pilgrims during the current holy month of Ramadan has doubled, according to a number of owners and managers of Umrah and Hajj campaigns in Qatar. This suggests that the return of performing Umrah rituals by land significantly increased the demand for travel to perform Umrah.
The demand for Umrah and Hajj campaigns is anticipated to rise during the final 10 days of the blessed month of Ramadan as a result of the desire of many residents and citizens to conduct Umrah rituals during this holy month, they said in statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA).
Given that performing Umrah rituals by land is significantly less expensive than flying, Hatem Al Khalidi, the founder of the "Hatem" campaign for Hajj and Umrah, verified that the return of flights by land increased demand for performing Umrah rituals.
The expense of the flight is between QR3,500 and QR7,000, and it takes between 4 and 5 days. The cost of the road trip is between QR2,100 and QR2,300.
In comparison to the costs of the first twenty days of the holy month, prices are predicted to rise during the final 10 days of Ramadan.
For her part, Samira Hussein Al Yafei, the head of the "Tawaf" campaign for Umrah, claimed that the demand for Umrah increased throughout Ramadan, with a 100% increase in reservations over the previous year and a further doubling expected in the final 10 days of the blessed month.
After the steps made by the Saudi authorities in relation to the visa, the procedures are carried out in an easy and seamless manner. Some campaigns, according to her, conduct weekly trips by bus, plane, or land.
Majdi Rizk, the director of the "Good" campaign, in response, confirmed the rise in reservations made by residents and citizens to perform Umrah rituals during Ramadan, particularly in the final 10 days, and noted that the costs of trips by land range between QR1,700 and QR2,300, while the costs of trips by air range between QR4,200 and QR5,500.
In the same context, Rizk emphasised the smoothness and simplicity of processes related to Umrah by the various concerned parties, stating that he anticipates prices to increase during the last 10 days of the holy month due to the increase in demand during this time.
He stated that the Umrah procedures are very simple, that anyone can get the visa right away after applying for one in a day, that there are no complicated requirements, and that Umrah is open to people of all ages without distinction. Obtaining the Umrah visa only requires submitting a copy of the resident card in the State of Qatar, a copy of the passport, and a personal photo.
The Saudi Ministry of Tourism removed the restriction on which occupations could issue GCC nationals tourist permits. All Gulf country residents, regardless of their occupation, who possess a tourist visa, as defined by the ministry, are eligible to conduct Umrah.
