JEDDAH – Dozens of establishments and companies are vying with each other to serve domestic pilgrims under the “Economic Program 1” camps as part of the initiative of the Ministry of Haj and Umrah to select the best for the job.

According to Saudi Press Agency report on Friday, some 76 firms have participated in the draw for the “Economic Program 1” camps (formerly known as the “low-cost Haj”).

The draw was carried out on Thursday at the headquarters of the General Administration for Domestic Pilgrims’ Affairs at the Ministry of Haj and Umrah.

The draw was among firms that had scored equal points during the evaluation process but differed on the location of camps of their choice.

The number of Economic Program 1” camps offered to the domestic pilgrims companies and establishments totaled 55. Of these, the firms chose 10 camps to allocate for the “Economic Program 1”.

The objective of the draw is to strengthen the principle of transparency in the sector for serving domestic pilgrims.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Coordination Council for Firms to Serve Domestic Pilgrims Abdulrahman Bin Faleh Al-Haqbani said: “Due to the high demand for low-cost Haj, the ministry has set up the Economic Program “1”. There is a stiff competition among dozens of firms in the sector for serving domestic pilgrims.”

Al-Haqbani added that the “Hospitality Program”, earlier known as the “General Program”, is not included in the draw because they (the firms) have been allocated specific camps since the year 1438H. As to the Economic “2” Program, previously known as “Al-Muyassar”, it will have its draw in the coming few days. — SPA