Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has officially suspended the contracts of 1,800 foreign travel agencies, affecting nearly one-third of the 5,800 international firms currently operating within the Umrah sector.
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the ministry took this step following a comprehensive periodic evaluation of global providers. This assessment revealed significant performance shortcomings and a failure to maintain the high service quality that the Kingdom demands. Consequently, officials have granted these non-compliant agencies a ten-day grace period to rectify their legal and operational status.
Furthermore, the ministry clarified that the current suspension specifically halts the issuance of new Umrah visas for these firms. This regulatory approach aims to help agencies address classification issues while forcing them to improve compliance with approved standards. Therefore, the ministry will only reactivate contracts once the firms meet all necessary requirements within the designated timeframe.
Safeguarding Pilgrim Rights
The ministry confirmed that the suspension does not impact Umrah performers who already hold valid visas or confirmed reservations. These pilgrims will receive their services without any changes or interruptions during their stay in the Kingdom. Moreover, the authorities emphasized that protecting the rights of every visitor remains their top priority in all regulatory measures.
Applying approved classification and performance indicators serves as a fundamental measure to raise compliance among all service providers. Consequently, these tools ensure that every service meets the rigorous standards set by the Saudi government for international visitors.
Ministry spokesperson Ghassan Alnwaimi stated that the government will take further legal action against any agency failing this deadline, adding that the ministry relies on advanced monitoring tools to strengthen the reliability of the entire Umrah sector.
In conclusion, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah continues to safeguard the rights of pilgrims through these strict evaluations. These measures guarantee that only the most reliable international partners facilitate the spiritual journey of millions of Muslims worldwide.
