Haj travel agents' business down 30% due to H1N1

Umrah and Haj travel agents in the UAE are witnessing a large number of cancellations of bookings as many Muslims postpone or cancel their pilgrimage plans due to the swine flu scare.

"Many people are cancelling their Umrah packages, mainly because of the H1N1 virus scare," said an official at Sadaf Haj and Umrah. "Authorised agents are worried about the massive cancellations and business will be down considerably. "We believe business will be down by a minimum of 30 per cent because of swine flu. Many families are cancelling their Umrah packages and we don't know what the situation will be for the Haj season."

Muslims from around the world visit the Holy Mosques in Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah during Ramadan and the Haj season. New age restrictions have been introduced for pilgrims because of the scare. A directive issued by the Saudi Health Ministry for the Umrah and Haj season says those taking part in the pilgrimage should not be more than 65 years old or younger than 12.

The directive adds: "Pilgrims suffering from chronic diseases such as heart disease, liver, kidney and complications of diabetes, obesity or any other diseases affecting the health and immunity should not perform Umrah or Haj until the situation improves."

The directive says those performing Haj should take seasonal flu vaccine two weeks before travelling, and if swine flu vaccine is available it should be taken.

The health authorities say the government may take further action to prevent the spreading of virus in Saudi Arabia.

Travel agents are also advising pilgrims to take vaccinations, wear face masks and take other required precautions against the disease.

"We are advising pilgrims to take all possible precautions to prevent infection because they are going to a place with a high concentration of people. Even if a person sneezes in a crowd, there is a chance of infection and pilgrims are advised to use face masks to prevent this," said an agent.

Agents selling Umrah and Haj transit packages to the families of expatriates living in the UAE said they were also facing uncertainty because of the swine flu.

"The majority of Haj pilgrims from India are more than 60 years old and the age restriction will affect the number of pilgrims," said another agent. More than three million people from around the world visit Saudi Arabia for the Haj every year and elderly people make up a significant proportion of the total. The season generates good business for tour operators, airlines and hotels in the region.

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