Following the lifting of the ban on Umrah (lesser Hajj) by Saudi Arabian authorities, Hajj and Umrah operators who are still reeling from the losses of the cancellation of 2020 Hajj due to the COVID-19 pandemic, are optimistic about early recovery ahead of the commencement of Umrah services in Nigeria, Daily Trust can report.
However, operators are currently awaiting approval from the Saudi Arabian Authorities to allow international pilgrims into the country six months after it was shut down following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Saudi government also restricted the 2020 pilgrimage exercise to only residents of the Kingdom. But on Sunday, October 4, 2020, the Kingdom restarted Umrah beginning with only Saudi residents with strict COVID-19 protocols put in place.
However, in Nigeria, many prospective pilgrims are warming up for the Umrah season, which may start tentatively by November 1.
The Vice-Chairman, Association of Hajj and Umrah Operators of Nigeria (AHUON), South-West zone and Managing Director of Habdat Xpress Travels, Alhaji Qasim Alabi, said, “We are actually optimistic. The only issue is that it is possible that demand may be more than supply when we start in view of the backlog.”
Head of Research and Strategic, Zenith Travels, Mr. Olumide Ohunayo, said it is a relief that the Saudi government has resumed Umrah services.
“I think a lot of people in the industry and the tour operators have made a lot of losses from the cancellation of Hajj…The tour operators will find a way of getting this message across to the pilgrims and see how they can beat down the cost of travelling.”
Spokesman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Fatima Sanda Usara, said the commission is also awaiting communication from the Saudi government, which might likely introduce new policies on the Umrah exercise.
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