The Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) has appealed to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for withdrawing the travel tax for passengers going to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah.

An application signed by ATAB President S. N. Manzoor Morshed was sent to the Prime Minister's Office on Sunday (June 25).

According to application, 4(1) (h) of the Travelers Act 2003 exempts people traveling to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and Umrah from travel tax. The budget for the current fiscal year 2023-2024 has proposed to waive the travel tax for those traveling to Saudi Arabia only for the holy Hajj. Currently, due to the exorbitant price of Hajj packages, many devoted Muslims are unable to go for Hajj due to financial constraints. The proposed imposition of travel tax on the holy Umrah pilgrims will further increase the financial burden on them.

Taking this into consideration, ATAB requested to withdraw the travel tax imposed in the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2023-2024 to reduce the financial pressure on people to perform Umrah.

BDST: 1519 HRS, JUNE 26, 2023
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