JAKARTA - Riau tourism observer Dede Firmansyah said that the government's policy through the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) which changed the minimum price or reference rate for Umrah from IDR 20 million up to IDR 26 million would reduce the interest of the congregation.
"It is predicted that the policy will have an impact on the interest of the congregation who will perform the Umrah pilgrimage. It is estimated that it will automatically decrease the income for Umrah travel," said Dede, quoted from Antara, Monday, February 1.
According to him, Umrah in 2021 starting in February 2021 is certainly expected to provide fresh air for Umrah travel agents, especially since many Umrah and Hajj travelers have not operated for almost a year due to COVID-19.
He said that with the increase in Umrah fees, it is hoped that it can increase income for travel agents, while the amount of the Umrah fee of Rp.26 million is calculated from services in Indonesia and in Saudi Arabia.
"Fees are charged starting from services for Umrah pilgrims in the country, trips to Saudi Arabia, accommodation while in Saudi Arabia. As well as flight costs from Soekarno-Hatta Airport to Saudi Arabia and vice versa," he said.
However, Dede hopes that the government can provide subsidies, namely by allocating funds from health for prospective congregations who will carry out the Umrah pilgrimage, so that they can slightly reduce costs.
Cost relief, for example for a rapid test or swab, because it costs around Rp. 800 thousand, maybe only Rp. 500 thousand can be subsidized.
"Of course the cooperation between the Ministry of Religion and the Ministry of Health is expected to ease the community. It is hoped that the Ministry of Religion can make efforts to the Ministry of Health to provide subsidies, so that it can ease the burden on the congregation and also travel agents to reduce costs," he said.
In addition, Dede added, the existence of minimum and maximum age rules for Umrah pilgrims of 18 to 50 years will also result in a decline in Umrah pilgrims.
"Rules regarding age will also put pressure on Umrah travel. If in the past, children, babies, and parents were free, of course, setting this age limit would reduce the number of pilgrims," he said.
Meanwhile, February 2021 will be the first departure during this pandemic and travel agents will prioritize prospective pilgrims who are delayed first after reconfirming with prospective pilgrims.
Regarding the price according to the current government policy, said Dede who is also the Deputy Chair of the Institutional and Government Affairs of the DPP ASITA, the congregation who was pending previously would be prioritized and reconfirmed. But must increase the nominal. We prioritize those who register first.
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