BAHRAIN’S religious tour operators have been severely hit by a fewer number of people wanting to travel to Saudi Arabia during one of the peak seasons.
Before the outbreak of coronavirus (Covid-19) last year, every year more than 300 buses carrying 50 passengers each used to leave Bahrain on the first day of Eid Al Fitr, bound for Mecca and Medina.
This year, however, only 40 buses are expected to make the journey, and that too only until Medina.
The GDN reported on Tuesday that Bahraini pilgrims are being barred from entering the Holy Mosque in Mecca as the Saudi government has not approved the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine against Covid-19 despite WHO accrediting it.
“We don’t want to run the risk of taking pilgrims to Mecca,” said Al Kadhem Transport Tourist Travels board vice-chairman and partner Mahmood Al Kadhem.
“First of all, 80 per cent of Bahrainis have been vaccinated with Sinopharm, and Saudi still refuses to allow them to enter the Holy Mosque,” he explained.
“Secondly, the cost of travelling to Mecca and Medina before the pandemic was an average of BD70 per person for a week, but has now it has more than doubled to BD150.
“Yes, the cost of hotels has dropped but a bus carrying 50 passengers that costs us BD750 on regular days can now only take 20 passengers.”
He added that around 200 buses were originally registered in Bahrain, with the rest being rented by operators.
“Several operators have sold their buses to cover their losses.”
Mr Al Kadhem, who is also Bahrain Holidays managing director and chief executive, said each bus still has clergymen as religious guides besides crew, mostly on part-time arrangements.
“We have lowered the number of accompanying clergymen and crew with all religious tour operators sharing resources available during the trip,” he said.
“However, the low turnout is much better than sitting here doing nothing without business like last year – at least there is some cash flow,” he said.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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