(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The number of Indonesians traveling to Mecca for umrah, or minor hajj, this year is estimated to increase to 200,000 from 160,000 in 2010, a pilgrimage organizer said.
“Umrah pilgrims can feel closer to the holy land. After all, the waiting list of those who are willing to conduct hajj pilgrims is becoming longer and longer,” Fuad Hasan Masyhur, chairman of hajj travel bureau Amphuri, said on Sunday.
He made the remarks on the sidelines of the sixth Garuda International Islamic Expo, which was opened on Friday by Agus Sartono, deputy minister for people’s welfare.
Fuad said there was an increasing number of companies, such banks, that planned to provide umrah trips as prizes for their customers.
“We predict that this year the number of umrah pilgrims going to Saudi Arabia to perform minor hajj services will reach 200,000 people,” he said.
In the meantime, Emirsyah Satar, president director of flag carrier Garuda Indonesia, said the airline would transport more umrah pilgrims this year.
“There will be a 20 percent increase from 90,000 in 2010 to 110,000 in 2011,” he said.
He said passenger traffic for the Indonesia-Middle East route was about 1.4 million people, mainly workers and religious tourism travelers.
“We are committed to increasing our services for umrah passengers. This year we will replace our B-747-400 planes with B-777-300ER planes,” he said.
Emirsyah said he was optimistic the airline would increase its passenger numbers regardless of their reason for traveling.
“Through a high commitment and an exhibition like this, we hope we can obtain long-weekend markets, not only those on regular trips to Asian cities but also those on umrah trips,” he said.
End item/ 159