Qatar- More expats going for Umrah during school spring break

By Sanaullah Ataullah

DOHA: The number of expatriate families booking for Umrah trips by road has surged ahead of the spring school holidays. Tour operators have come out with attractive offers to cash in on the huge demand.

Bookings from individuals have also gone up significantly say tour operators. Most expatriates prefer to travel by bus due to the low charges. A week-long holiday for independent schools and many international schools will start next week after the end of their mid-term examinations this week. Most tour operators have reduced the charges for Umrah trips (by bus) by more than 10 percent to win more customers enquiries in the market have revealed.

Umrah can be performed any time of the year in keeping with the rules set by Saudi authorities in contrast to Haj which is the main pilgrimage performed during a specific period every year.

A tour operator said that the charges per person have been reduced from QR1200 to QR1050. Children below 10 years have been charged QR800 per head.

Charges include the cost of transportation from Doha to Makkah and Makkah to Madinah and back to Doha and hotel fares during the trip which normally takes 10 days. Some operators arrange guided tour to historic and holy sites in Makkah and Madinah as part of the package. Fares could vary depending on the trip.

“Bookings have gone up remarkably. We sent two buses a month since the beginning of the Umrah season last December. But due to high demand we have arranged big buses this month and all will leave on Thursday” said a tour operator based in Doha Jadeed.

Pilgrims include Egyptians Indians and Pakistanis among other nationalities and families including women and children form about half of the total passengers. “Our trips end on the second Saturday. A trip from Doha to Makkah takes about 22 hours through Abu Samra border post Riyadh and Taif with stops for prayers and food” he said.

Accommodation for four nights in Makkah and three nights in Madinah and transportation to holy places in Makkah and Madinah are included in the package. However food is not included which pilgrims have to arrange. Pilgrims can have their trip arranged through any Umrah tour operator. A pilgrimage visa is required to enter Saudi Arabia. Visa is stamped by the Saudi embassy in Qatar as per the request of the tour operator. The pilgrims are required to submit their passports having minimum six-month validity and a copy of the Qatari residency permit (RP) valid at least for three months. Many people in Qatar mostly citizens extend a helping hand to expatriates wishing to perform Umrah but cannot afford the cost. They visit the operators and pay the charges on behalf the beneficiaries. “We received such donations from time to time. Free offers are being arranged in collaboration with local religious organisations” said the operator.

The Peninsula