Umrah firms plan to raise prices

DAMMAM: Umrah operators here plan to raise the prices of their packages, which they blame on the rising cost of flights, according to a recent report in a local publication. Many companies have not specified what the increase would be, but one said it would be “a little.” They called on pilgrims to book early, because failure to do so could cost an extra $70. Ahmad Saleh, an employee of a Haj and Umrah operator, said it was unlikely that there would be significant rise like last year. He said the average price for an Umrah from the Eastern Province by air including a two-night stay at a hotel and road transport, would cost SR1,000. Many members of the public have called on the government to monitor the prices of these companies because there are often increases before Ramadan and Eid, the report said. -arabnews