Saudi Hajj, Umrah Ministry grants OTA status to India-based Akbar Travels

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Saudi Arabia’s Hajj and Umrah Ministry has granted Online Travel Agency (OTA) status to leading Indian travel agency Akbar Travels.

The special status makes Akbar Travels one among the 28 exclusive travel platforms recognized by the government of Saudi Arabia.

Akbar Travels offers specially-dedicated Umrah services through its portal UmrahTrip. com.

Speaking to members of the media at The Domain Hotel in The Diplomatic Area, Manama, Akbar Holidays Chief Executive Officer Benazir Nazar, said: “This recognition could be attributed to the best Umrah and Hajj services offered by Akbar Travels.

We are grateful to the Saudi Hajj and Umrah Ministry.”

Pilgrims from across the world can access the portal to receive Umrah related services from Akbar Travels.

The services encompass air tickets, hotel bookings and ground services.

Upon completion, all pilgrims will receive a Booking Reference Number (BRN) with which they can apply for an Umrah visa on the official Umrah website.

Ms Benazir said Akbar Travels aims to offer the best Umrah services with this initiative to the pilgrims.

“This would speed up the Umrah booking process, proving highly beneficial to the pilgrims.

The booking can also be done using WhatsApp,” she pointed out.

Apart from Ms Benazir, Akbar Travels Middle East Managing Director Ashiya Nazar, Saudi Arabia General Manager Azher Qureshi, Akbar Online GCC Operation Head Ahmed Qasim and Bahrain Country Head Raju Pillai attended the press conference.