By Akram Medhat
The Ministry of Tourism announced that it will receive applications from citizens wishing to perform the tourist Hajj for the 1440 AH/2019 season starting tomorrow, Tuesday, January 15, in accordance with the rules regulating tourist Hajj for 1440 AH approved by Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Tourism, which were submitted by the Higher Committee for Hajj and Umrah.
The ministry's statement said this is the first time registration for the tourist Hajj season opens about 8 months ahead of the season, and 5 months before citizens can apply for it, giving a greater opportunity to take the necessary measures in the best way and allowing the ministry, tourism companies and citizens to fully prepare for the season.
The rules stressed that anyone who has previously registered in either of the lotteries of the ministries of Interior or Social Solidarity will not be allowed to apply for the Ministry of Tourism's electronic lottery, in implementation of the directives issued by the Higher Ministerial Committee for Hajj.
The rules set the booking deposit at EGP 20,000 for the 5-star tourist level, EGP 15,000 for the 4-star level, and EGP 10,000 for the economy and overland levels, under a mechanism that allows citizens to deposit and recover the booking deposit.
The rules take into account meeting the needs of all segments of society through more than one level, with the largest share of visas given to the economy and overland levels, in consideration of those on limited incomes and the growing demand from this segment of society.
Replacements after the lottery results are announced have been limited to cases of death and cases of deprivation of liberty under an enforceable court ruling, provided that they occur after the results are announced.
The rules stipulated that buses used by overland pilgrims must be no older than the 2010 model and must be equipped with a GPS device and a speed limiter, to ensure modern models and better service for overland pilgrims, and that a bus may carry no more than 40 passengers.
The rules also stressed that companies organizing Hajj programs this season will be allowed to operate only one level (5-star, 4-star, economy or overland) and must commit to it on the electronic Hajj portal, and changing the means of travel will not be allowed.
In a related context, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Tourism, stressed the need for continuous monitoring of the tourism companies organizing Hajj, and not to tolerate any company proven to have failed to fulfill its obligations to citizens under the contract concluded with them, in the interest of Egyptian pilgrims throughout the season, from departure until the last Hajj flight returns home.
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