Government coordinates with Saudi Arabia on hotel relaxations for Umrah pilgrims

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah (Wamenhaj) Dahnil Anzar Simanjuntak said the government would coordinate with Saudi Arabia on hotel relaxations given the many Umrah participants affected by the escalation in the Middle East. ‘We will talk with the authorities in Saudi Arabia about hotels. As hotels are under the supervision of the Saudi ministries there, especially the Ministry of Tourism, related to the relaxations that can be obtained by PPIU or travel partners,’ said Wamenhaj Dahnil when contacted from Jakarta on Wednesday. The escalation in the region has disrupted flights to and from the Holy Places in Saudi Arabia. Likewise for Indonesian pilgrims, whether they have departed or not. Umrah travel organisers (PPIU) who have booked hotels face an uncertain situation, while bookings have been made long in advance. ‘Travel companies will surely incur some losses. Because they have already booked hotels, aircraft tickets, and so on. And this situation is, you know, unpredictable,’ said Wamenhaj. On the other hand, although most foreign airlines provide refund options, both for pilgrims who have not departed and those who are already in Saudi Arabia, pilgrims cannot simply fly. Therefore the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) has also asked Garuda Indonesia to provide fare relief so Indonesian Umrah pilgrims can gradually return home to the homeland. ‘I have conveyed to Garuda Indonesia’s President Director to arrange alternative transport for our Umrah pilgrims who are refunds from foreign airlines. So they end up buying Garuda tickets to return. But the price must be more economical,’ said Wamenhaj Dahnil.