Panaji: A pilgrimage scheduled to take 34 pilgrims from Goa to the Holy Land on March 9 was cancelled due to the Middle-East conflict.“It was supposed to be our first pilgrimage of the year and we were looking forward to it. The group was set to leave for Jordan via Muscat on Oman Air on March 9, but we had to cancel it. Everything was ready, briefings were held and tickets were distributed,” said Paul Sequeira, proprietor of Zion Tours and Travels.“Oman Air assured a refund on the tickets. The rest of the money is in Israel and we will adjust it. Some people cancelled and want their money back, while others decided to travel with us later in the year,” he said.
The pilgrimage tour company already has groups of pilgrims scheduled to travel to the Holy Land in April and May, but it has not cancelled those trips yet.“We should get a clear picture by March 15. We pray the war ends soon. The Middle-East is a major hub for all flights, and hence this conflict is affecting everybody,” Sequeira, said.“So far, all our contacts at Galilee, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are alright. We pray this gets over quickly.”
