Introduction
According to the data of 2023, every year more than 10 million people from different countries visit Saudi Arabia, Mecca, or Medina for the purpose of performing Hajj and Umrah. And these trips are done through different travel agencies. There is no option to choose the right travel agency. Because if we choose the right travel agency, our Umrah and Hajj journey is likely to be beautiful. Otherwise, our Hajj journey is likely to be ruined. So we will know about the travel agency below.
How do I Choose the right travel agency?
Currently, there are approximately 43,315 travel agencies in the United States. In recent years (from 2019 to 2024), this number has decreased by an average of 3.9% annually
In 2018, a travel agent was arrested in the UK. Who collected 0.4 million pounds from 250 customers? But cheated the customers by not serving them. We know of many such fraudulent travel agencies in different countries. That’s why we have to be very careful in choosing travel agencies.
Also, it is very important for us to choose the right travel agency to have a beautiful Umrah Hajj journey. Because the right travel agencies provide us with very good quality services. If we can’t find the right travel agency, our Hajj and Umrah trip may be ruined.
6 ways to choose a travel agency are discussed. There are 6 ways to ensure your travel agency doesn’t fall into any kind of fraud or trap. Rather, these 6 ways should be adopted to enjoy a beautiful Hajj journey.
Select an authorized travel agency.
Only registered travel agents authorized by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj can organize Hajj and Umrah tours. However, other agents organizing Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages may be sub-agents of those particular organizations and directly and indirectly belong to them. So first of all, try to find out whether the travel agency is approved by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj. Ask them to provide certificates or any documents.
You can still get your money back if there is a problem if you can determine the authorized travel agency. But if the travel agency is not authorized, then there is a possibility of fraud. So first check if the agency is approved by the Saudi Hajj Ministry.
Then check if the travel agency is accredited by industry bodies such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) or the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). If they are, it indicates the agency’s professionalism and expertise. Also known as ATOL in the UK, this will provide financial protection in the event that your travel agency goes broke. So you need to check if your agency is (ATOL) accredited or registered.
Avoid sub-agency
Basically, some sub-agencies operate their agencies with accreditation from authorized agencies. In this case, sub-agencies should be avoided as they are not directly approved by the Ministry of Hajj in Saudi Arabia. Because if any problem ever arises, no one will take responsibility for it. Then there is a possibility of not getting your money back. Also, many sub-agencies cheat money, due to which many people become victims of Hajj fraud. So avoid sub agencies.
Get referrals from friends and acquaintances.
This is a very good process. If any of your friends or acquaintances have performed Hajj or Umrah, ask them about the agency. Find out through which agency they have gone for Hajj or Umrah. And find out in detail if they faced any problems. Always try to get the details from the closest person. This will make it much easier to choose an agency to perform your Hajj and Umrah. So learn about the agency from friends and acquaintances.
Find out if the guide will be included.
In most cases, those who visit Saudi Arabia or Mecca for the purpose of performing Hajj or Umrah for the first time are not aware of the rules and regulations for performing Hajj or Umrah or any Saudi rules. Due to which many times it can cause trouble. So most of the agencies hire a guide. There is a male guide for men and a female guide for women. They provide a complete guide for the Saudi tour, including Hajj or Umrah. They are interpreters. Because Arabic is prevalent in Saudi Arabia. Which people of other countries can’t. So they translated the language along with our guide, which made our tour easier.
So try to find out whether the travel agencies include any guides.
Know the agency's response under pressure.
At times, agencies may come under various pressures for various reasons. What will your agency do when there is a natural disaster, flight cancellation, or flight delay for any reason? Or what will be your agency’s response if you encounter any danger? Or what would be the solution?
Also, various complications or problems may arise. Try to know what the agency can do or react to in case of any kind of complications or problems.
Define your travel needs.
Find out if you can perform Umrah together with the main Hajj. How long can you stay, or where will you stay? What kind of hotel will be given? What is the rating of the hotel? Also try to know the rating of the hotel from social media. How will there be men and women? How many floors of the hotel? Does the hotel have an elevator? How many people will stay in one room? Whether the room is safe. Whether the room will be available during the Hajj days. And you must know about these. What will your food arrangements be? Try to know what to eat. When you are sick, try to know about treatment or services. If there is any difficulty, try to know what the solution will be. Because you need to know them. Or if there is a sudden problem, what will he take responsibility for?
Ask the agency how much they have to pay for travel and accommodation, food and accommodation. And there are different activities. So know whether any separate payment will be required for these activities. Or try to find out if there are any hidden charges. Because there you have to go to different places. We try to give an idea about some of them below.
If you go to Makkah first, then you have to go to Madinah. Try to find out what kind of transport you will be taking to go to Madinah and whether you will have to pay any money to go there.
Ask the travel agency. some more questions.
How far is the metro station from my tent in Mina?
How far is the Jamarat from my tent in Mina?
How many people will be in my tent?
Is there food included or must be bought and eaten separately?
How much bottled water can I drink?
What kind of transport will I take from Mina to Arafat?
What kind of transport is needed to travel from Arafat to Muzdalifah?
What kind of transport will there be from Muzdalifah to Jamarat?
What kind of transport will there be from Jamarat to Masjid al-Haram?
What kind of transport will there be from Masjid Al Haram to Mina?
What kind of transport will there be from Mina to Jamarat and from Jamarat to Bina?
Will I be given a Saudi Arabian SIM card?
Try to know different types of such questions. And try to know if these costs will be included in the package or if I have to pay separately. And lastly, try to know if I try to bring any product on my way back from Saudi Arabia, how much product can I bring? Is there a separate tax to be paid for these? Ask your travel agency all these questions.
Conclusion
If you choose a travel agency according to the above six methods, then, inshallah, you will not have any other problem. And there will be no possibility of Hajj fraud. Also get your money back if there is any problem. So finally, it can be said that if you perform Hajj according to the correct rules, then you should not have any problem. Even if there is any unexpected danger at any time, you will get its solution. So there is no alternative to using a proper travel agency.
