Hajj
Pilgrimage
Are you booking a Hajj Pilgrimage?
If so, you may like to read on to get further information about
your rights when booking a package travel deal.
Every year over 125,000 British Muslim citizens travel to
Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj & Umrah pilgrimage. A Hajj or
Umrah is a once in a lifetime experience for most people. However
some unscrupulous and rogue Hajj travel agents and tour operators
have left pilgrims very disappointed with their trip.
Consumer Direct has the following advice to help you avoid
unexpected extra expense and disappointment:
Before you book:
- Check your trip is ATOL protected. Your Hajj or Umrah package
will more than likely include flights. Any tour operator arranging
packages with flights must hold a current Air Travel Organisers
Licence (ATOL). An ATOL ensures your pre-payments are protected and
also provides for getting you back home if necessary in the event
of the operator going bust
- Talk to your friends and relatives who may have knowledge or
used the services of different tour operators and ask them for
their recommendations
At the time of booking and after:
You should be given a written copy of a contract for the package
sold. This contract should contain at least the following
information
- Destination and date
- Transport-means, times, dates and places
- Accommodation details
- Itinerary Visits or other services included
- Details of the Hajj & Umrah tour operators/travel agents
and insurer (where appropriate)
- Minimum number of people for package to go ahead and deadline
for cancellation
- The price and any term regarding revisions, payment
details.
- If you have any special requests make sure they are
specifically mentioned on the booking form
- passport and visa requirements, health requirements and
security and arrangements to get you home in the event of the
operator going bust
- Keep your contractual documentation, booking invoices, letters
or other documents in a safe place
Do remember:
British Hajjis have the same protection as package holidaymakers
when flights and accommodation are booked together; by booking
through an ATOL registered tour operator, your rights are
assured.
Hajj & Umrah tour operators/travel agents should not supply any
misleading or deceptive material to pilgrims regarding the package
price or any other conditions applying to the contract.
You are protected by the legislation The Package Travel,
Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 which
has outlined clearly the responsibilities of (Hajj & Umrah)
travel & tour operators and protects the rights of consumers
(pilgrims).
Consumers with any queries are being advised to
contact Consumer Direct London on 08454 040506 or 01622 626550
for further advice on their rights.