JEDDAH — Over 30 tourist companies have been approved by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) to provide post-Umrah tourist services, said Zaid Farsi, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of Makkah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Spokesman of the National Committee for Haj and Umrah. He said the SCTA had approved the post Umrah program for pilgrims who come from outside the Kingdom. The program will make it possible for Muslims who come from overseas to remain in the Kingdom after completing Umrah rituals to tour the Kingdom's archeological sites. The SCTA has received the go-ahead for the launch of the program from the concerned authorities including the ministries of Interior and Haj and the General Directorate of Passports. Farsi said the program will initially be limited to pilgrims from the United States, Europe, Singapore, Malaysia and a few other countries. Farsi said the program focuses on developing and increasing the accommodation capacities of hotels and housing facilities. He said the launch of the program followed the announcement made by the commission that it would punish Umrah companies that organize trips to archeological sites in Makkah and Madinah without obtaining permits from the commission. — SG
