Egyptian and Saudi Umra pilgrimage operators and travel agents have discussed a new grade-based system to evaluate the performance of tourist companies facilitating journeys for the Islamic voluntary ritual.
The first forum of Egyptian and Saudi Umra operators took place Tuesday in Sharm el-Sheikh, where both sides adopted new assessment criteria for service providers.
Abdullah Qadi, deputy chairman of Saudi Arabia’s national Hajj and Umra commission, said the new system gives grades for service components, including 30 percent for sufficient information on the pilgrim and the program of the trip, 20 percent for services provided during the rituals and 20 percent for the organization of return trips.
Bassel al-Sisi, head of the religious tourism department at the Egyptian Travel Agents Association, said both the Egyptian and Saudi sides signed a protocol containing the new criteria to lay down “immediate solutions” for any problems during the Umra season, which begins soon.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
