Reshaping the global Umrah market: Egypt and Pakistan take the lead
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has released its latest statistics for the year 1447 AH, which paint a new picture of the global landscape of accredited Umrah agents. This data comes at a crucial time as the sector undergoes radical regulatory changes aimed at improving the quality of services provided to pilgrims. Egypt the list as the country with the largest number of accredited Umrah agents, reflecting the deep historical ties and growing demand from the Egyptian market.
According to official statistics, the top five countries were ranked as follows:
- Egypt: 935 agents
- Pakistan: 540 agents
- Algeria: 520 agents
- Yemen: 413 agents
- Sudan: 407 agents
These figures clearly demonstrate the significant weight of these countries in the global Umrah system, as they collectively represent an influential percentage of the total market, making them a key focus in the Kingdom’s future policies for developing the sector.
Organizational measures to improve quality: Suspending contracts as a corrective step
The release of these statistics coincided with the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah's announcement of a temporary suspension of new contracts with approximately 1,800 foreign travel agencies, out of roughly 5,800 operating in the sector. The Ministry explained that this decision was based on the results of a periodic evaluation of the agencies' performance, which revealed shortcomings in the quality of services provided by the suspended agencies.
The ministry granted these agencies a ten-day grace period to rectify their situations and meet the approved standards. It emphasized that the suspension applies only to the issuance of new visas and will not affect pilgrims who already possess valid visas or have existing bookings, stressing that protecting the rights of pilgrims and ensuring the continuity of their services is a top priority.
Broader context: Vision 2030 and the digital transformation of Hajj and Umrah services
These regulatory measures fall within the broader framework of Saudi Vision 2030 , which aims to enhance the experience of pilgrims and increase the capacity to accommodate larger numbers of Umrah and Hajj pilgrims. Over the past few years, the Kingdom has launched major initiatives to facilitate the Umrah journey, most notably the “Nusk” digital platform, which allows pilgrims from around the world to plan their trips and book services directly.
Evaluating the performance of external agents and linking the continuation of contracts with them to clear quality indicators is a necessary step to ensure that the services provided on the ground are compatible with the digital and logistical development that the system is witnessing within the Kingdom, thus ensuring a smooth and safe experience for the pilgrim from the moment of planning his trip until his departure.
Expected impact on the global market
This regulatory move is expected to have multiple impacts at both the regional and international levels. In the short term, it may cause some disruption in markets with a large number of suspended agencies. However, in the long term, this measure will restructure the market in favor of more professional and compliant agencies, thus increasing reliability and transparency. It will also incentivize agencies to invest in training their staff and developing their digital services to meet the Ministry's requirements, ultimately benefiting pilgrims who will receive better service and greater value for their money.
