Faisal Aboobacker Ponnani Saudi Gazette DAMMAM — More than 250 luxury coaches carrying Umrah pilgrims are scheduled to depart on Wednesday and Thursday for the two holy cities from Dammam, Al-Khobar, Jubail, Ras Tanura, Khafji and Qatif to perform Umrah and attend the first Friday prayer of Ramadan in Makkah and Madinah. Tour operators in the Eastern Province are in full swing to accommodate more Umrah worshipers during the holy month. Buses normally start the trip at 3.30 p.m. on Wednesday evening and reach back on Saturday early morning. Tour operators have also raised the price of their weekend package trip from SR120 to SR180 a passenger from Dammam and surrounding areas. According to one leading tour operator, the rates have doubled due to increased demand. Travel offices are having their busiest days and bookings are made by telephone round the clock. Tour operators foresee an extraordinary rush of pilgrims from the Eastern Province in the coming days. An employee at Sanad Umrah Tours told Saudi Gazette, “The price is increased due to high demand for rooms and non-availability of accommodation in Makkah and Madinah. In addition, our contractual bus owners increased their trip charges to the holy cities during the Ramadan season. Pilgrims have to make their own arrangements for food. We are planning to arrange daily trips to Makkah and Madinah at a cost of SR200 a person.” This price will increase during the last days of Ramadan, he added. Some of the other tour operators provide five-day packages to Makkah and Madinah, including travel and accommodation. The offer includes a two-day stay in Madinah and three-day lodging in Makkah. The journey begins on Mondays and ends on Fridays. The pilgrims leave the holy city of Makkah after Friday prayers and reach Dammam early Saturday morning. Saudi Public Transport Company (SAPTCO) is also operating Umrah trips to Makkah on a daily basis. For the round trip, the ticket price is SR200. Pilgrims can return from Makkah at any time when they wish, with no time limits during Ramadan.
