1800 foreign Umrah agencies suspended: Ministry of Hajj raises quality standards
In a decisive regulatory move aimed at improving the Hajj and Umrah services system, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah the suspension of existing contracts with 1,800 foreign travel agencies operating in the Umrah sector. This decision follows a comprehensive review and periodic performance evaluation of approximately 5,800 agencies, the results of which revealed significant shortcomings in performance levels and poor service quality provided by the suspended agencies.
Details of the decision and the corrective deadline
The ministry clarified that the suspension primarily focuses on freezing the issuance of new visas to these agencies, granting them a 10-day grace period to rectify their situations and address the identified issues. This grace period serves as a final opportunity for the agencies to improve their compliance with the approved standards. Contracts will only be reactivated for those entities that meet the requirements and demonstrate a serious commitment to improving their services.
The context of Vision 2030 and the Guests of God Service Program
This measure cannot be separated from the broader context of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 , specifically the "Guests of God Service Program," which aims to facilitate the hosting of more Umrah and Hajj pilgrims, reaching 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually by 2030. To achieve this ambitious goal, the Kingdom is not only focused on increasing numbers but also on ensuring the "quality of the experience" as a fundamental pillar. Therefore, strict oversight of foreign travel agencies is an integral part of the state's strategy to guarantee that the pilgrim's journey is easy, safe, and spiritually enriching, free from any administrative or operational disruptions.
The importance and impact of digital censorship
This decision reflects the significant development in the digital infrastructure of the Hajj and Umrah sector. The Ministry now relies on precise performance indicators and advanced technological systems (such as the Nusuk platform and its associated systems) to monitor violations and measure beneficiary satisfaction in real time. This digital transformation allows for the accurate categorization of service providers, enhancing market competitiveness and compelling external agencies to improve their services to remain within the approved system, ultimately benefiting pilgrims.
Reassurances for current pilgrims
In a related context, the Ministry reassured pilgrims with valid visas or existing bookings that this regulatory measure will not affect their current programs. It indicated that services provided to them will continue without any changes, emphasizing that protecting the rights of pilgrims and ensuring the continuity of services remains the top priority in all regulatory decisions.
Official warnings
For his part, the official spokesman for the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Ghassan Al-Nuaimi, affirmed the Ministry’s seriousness in implementing the regulations, noting that all regulatory measures will be taken against any agency that fails to rectify its situation after the deadline, in order to ensure the reliability of the Umrah sector and preserve the rights of those visiting the Sacred House of God.
