Egyptian Travel Agents Accusation (ETAA) presented a memorandum to the minister of tourism for cancelling the membership of 18 travel agencies not only from the chamber’s membership, but also from the Egyptian Tourism Federation due to their violation of Article 9 of Law No 38 for 1968, according to a Saturday press statement.
The violating companies issued Umrah (minor Islamic pilgrimage) e-visas for customers without receiving the ministry of tourism’s approval, thus the chamber decided to halt all forms of services provided to these companies.
The ETAA explained in the memorandum that these companies have violated the law and harmed the national economy.
It has contacted major international companies specialised in electronic platforms to cope with the technological development adopted by Saudi Arabia in terms of e-visa issuance.
The ETAA announced holding a meeting of the chamber’s general assembly with the religious tourism committee and other committees to discuss implementing an electronic platform for Hajj (pilgrimage) and Umrah.
Last month, the Supreme Committee for Hajj and Umrah affirmed no Umrah visas shall be issued for Egyptians without the ministry of tourism’s approval.
The ministry stressed that violating agencies will be subjected to penalties.
At that time, the ministry explained that it will authorise air, sea, and land port delegations to ensure that tourism companies comply with the Umrah regulations, pointing out that it will also inform the national committee for Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia with these regulations.
