For many people, the hajj or umrah is the first, and sometimes only international trip they’ll ever take. When considering the finances, while focusing on affording the packages offered by travel operators, pilgrims may be unaware of the added costs of being in a foreign country, including daily meals, general spending money or having to cover extra medical costs. That’s the one concern, then there’s the other problems they face before even leaving their homes. We’re all aware of several cases in which Hajj or Umrah pilgrims have been left stranded by dodgy travel operators – even those accredited – yet there appears to be little recourse for them. Guest: Moeshfieka Botha, finance expert and columnist