CAIRO: Prices for pilgrimage this year have been reduced by 10 to 20 percent, said Egypt's Minister of Tourism, Mounir Fakhry Abdel-Nour. He said the rules drafted by his ministry determined the maximum price of the different tourist pilgrimage programs. Abdel-Nour asked for travel agencies to contact pilgrims and inform them of the benefits they would receive during their journey regarding accommodation, prices and services. He clarified that the Ministry will take strict measures for the first time against any agencies that violate the rules. The Minister said there is a list of sanctions that have been prepared by his Ministry to be implemented against those who violate the rules. He added that Egypt's travel agencies will be subjected to strict supervision by his Ministry's committees. Abdel-Nour added that the Ministry will receive requests submitted by travel agencies which want to organize pilgrimage journeys for this year. The Ministry will receive requests starting from July 16 until July 25.