Ramadan 2023: Demand for Umrah from the UAE surges by three times

Ramadan 2023: Demand for Umrah from the UAE surges by three times

Travel agents say spring break coinciding with the holy month has been a key driver for the increase in numbers

Published: Tue 21 Mar 2023, 6:00 AM

The UAE is witnessing a three-time surge in traffic for Umrah, as compared to the same period last year.

This comes as Umrah operators in the country opine that they record a massive surge in the pilgrimage ahead of the holy month of Ramadan.

According to travel agents, spring break coinciding with Ramadan has been a key driver for the increase in numbers.

Bait al Ateeq Haj services based in Makkah, which has a subsidiary office in Sharjah, is an agency that facilitates Umrah and the Haj services for residents in the country.

CEO of the company, Shebin Rasheed said: “We have recorded a massive rise in the number of residents travelling to the holy city of Makkah for Umrah. We are witnessing at least three times more pilgrims from the UAE as compared to last year. The traffic is more this year as school holidays overlap with Ramadan. Usually, families wish to take their children along to perform Umrah.”

Big improvement in application processes

Rasheed added: “Pre-bookings in bulk had happened by Umrah agencies earlier. Emirates Airlines, flydubai, Air Arabia