Consumer Orientation Organization Warns of Recurring Abuses in Umrah Travel Arrangements
The Consumer Orientation Organization has warned of recurring abuses in the organization of trips for the Umrah season, calling for strict control to ensure the rights of pilgrims before the start of the new season.
Lotfi Riahi, president of the organization, confirmed that he has received numerous complaints regarding the establishment of unclear contracts that do not include the final price or details of services, as well as non-compliance with the contract content regarding accommodation, transportation, insurance, and dates. He also emphasized that some agencies do not inform pilgrims in writing of any changes, depriving them of their right to refuse and request a refund.
Riahi indicated that the majority of abuses come from non-specialized intermediaries who interfere with the organization of trips, taking advantage of the large amounts of money in circulation during the Umrah season, which increases the risks of problems for citizens.
He explained that some pilgrims face significant problems, such as being accommodated in distant locations despite agreements on proximity, or a lack of transportation and insurance services, giving them the feeling of not having received the value of the money spent.
Riahi called for the need to formalize the relationship between the pilgrim and the travel agency through clear contracts that include prices, services, insurance, and dates, as well as the creation of a digital platform to report and track complaints in order to ensure the recovery of rights in case of non-compliance.
He also stressed the importance of choosing agencies based on accreditation and credibility criteria, ensuring that only approved and specialized agencies are dealt with, in order to avoid falling into the chaos of fraudulent services.
Riahi assured that the organization will publish a warning statement before the start of the season to limit abuses, requiring the supervisory authorities to exercise an effective control role and ensure the strict application of laws to prevent any violation of pilgrims' rights.
He concluded by stating that some agencies provide high-quality services, but the existence of a few offenders tarnishes the image of the sector and increases the need for rigorous and proactive control for each season.
