Each year up to 25,000 British Muslims travel for Hajj, to Saudi Arabia, spending around £125 million on their pilgrimages.
Muslims shopping around for the best deal on a trip to Mecca, both in their local community and increasingly online, are attracted by travel packages including flights, accommodation and visas, which appear to offer good value for money. Some operators advertise large reductions but fail to provide the service(s) offered.
Individuals are asked to pay in cash or make a direct bank transfer prior to their trip and are told they will receive their tickets and travel documents nearer to the departure date. For some they never arrive, or the travel accommodation is far below the standard that had been agreed and paid for.
Protect Yourself:
- Do your research – don’t book without carrying out some basic checks on your travel company.
- Make sure your travel company is a member of a recognised trade body, such as ABTA.
- If you are booking a flight based package, make sure your travel company is ATOL (Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing) protected by the Civil Aviation Authority.
- Get everything in writing.
- Do not pay the travel company by cash or by direct bank transfer into an individual’s account.