Egypt leads in Umrah agencies for 1447 AH... and new regulatory decisions
The latest statistical data issued by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia revealed the new map for the distribution of foreign Umrah agents for the 1447 AH season, with the Arab Republic of Egypt topping the list by a significant margin, reflecting the depth of strategic relations and the large turnout of Egyptian pilgrims.
Ranking of the top five countries with the highest number of Umrah agents
Official figures showed a clear Egyptian lead in the number of companies licensed to provide Umrah services, and the ranking was as follows:
- First place: Egypt (935 agents).
- Second place: Pakistan (540 agents).
- Third place: Algeria (520 agents).
- Fourth place: Yemen (413 agents).
- Fifth place: Sudan (407 agents).
These figures indicate the demographic and religious weight of these countries in the global Umrah system, as these five markets represent the main pillar for the number of pilgrims coming from abroad annually.
The context of Vision 2030 and the shift towards quality
These statistics cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader context of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to host 30 million Umrah pilgrims annually. To achieve this ambitious goal, the focus is no longer solely on increasing the number of service providers, but also on the efficiency and quality of services offered to the pilgrims. The Kingdom is working to develop its digital infrastructure (such as the Nusuk platform) and logistical infrastructure to facilitate the pilgrim's journey from initial planning to the cherished memory of their pilgrimage.
The fact that these countries are leading reflects the need to focus on them in awareness and technical development programs, to ensure that the services provided by local agents in those countries comply with the new Saudi global standards.
Corrective campaign: 1800 agencies shut down to regulate the market
In conjunction with the announcement of the statistics, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah took a decisive step aimed at governing the sector, as it announced the temporary suspension of new contracts with about 1,800 foreign travel agencies , which represents a large percentage of the 5,800 agencies operating in this field.
This decision comes as a result of thorough periodic assessments that revealed shortcomings in the performance indicators of these agencies. The ministry has given these companies a 10-day grace period to rectify their situations and address the identified issues, a move that underscores that "quality" is a red line that cannot be compromised.
Assurances for pilgrims and protection of rights
In its commitment to the well-being of pilgrims, the Ministry and its official spokesperson, Dr. Ghassan Al-Nuaimi, clarified the following points to reassure the public:
- Visa validity: The suspension only applies to the issuance of new visas and does not affect pilgrims who have valid visas or confirmed bookings.
- Continuity of service: The services provided to pilgrims who are currently present or coming soon will not be affected and will continue according to the signed contracts.
- Legal action: Strict legal action will be taken against any agency that fails to rectify its situation after the deadline.
This regulatory movement is a positive indicator of the maturity of the global Umrah market, as the Kingdom seeks to ensure a safe and accessible spiritual experience for all Muslims, relying on transparency and accountability as key tools for development.
