Basel El-Sisi, head of the religious tourism committee and a board member of the Chamber of Tourism Companies, expected in exclusive statements to Travel Yalla that Umrah program prices will rise by 15% in the new season, which begins with the Umrah of the Prophet's Birthday (Mawlid) in the month of Rabi al-Awwal 1437 AH.
El-Sisi attributed the price rise to several reasons, most notably the continued rise in the exchange rate of the Saudi riyal against the Egyptian pound and the increase in the air ticket tax, in addition to Saudi Arabia's plan to increase the number of Umrah pilgrims per month next season to 1.25 million, compared with 500,000 last season. This reduces the supply of hotel rooms and services relative to the huge supply of visas, which will raise accommodation prices according to the laws of supply and demand.
El-Sisi added that the price of air tickets will strongly affect the price of Umrah programs next season, as it will rise by 22% compared with last season, reaching 2,800 pounds instead of 2,300 pounds.
He noted that the average price of the economy Umrah program last season was 4,000 pounds, and with the expected increase it will reach 4,600 pounds. This program includes accommodation in one- or two-star hotels and varies depending on the hotel's distance from the Haram, while 5-star programs for the Mawlid ranged between 8,000 and 9,000 pounds and will reach about 10,000 pounds next season.
