In a decisive step to ensure the protection of pilgrims' rights and regulate the travel and tourism sector, Saudi government agencies conducted a joint and extensive inspection campaign targeting travel and tourism offices in Riyadh and Jeddah. This campaign, part of ongoing efforts to combat fraud, resulted in the detection of 92 violations related to the marketing and sale of fake and unauthorized Umrah packages.
Field teams from several government agencies participated in the inspection tours, including the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing, as well as the Public Security Directorate and the Public Transport Authority. This comprehensive government cooperation reflects the Kingdom's commitment to serving pilgrims and ensuring they receive the best possible services.
Campaign details and results
The campaign, which began on February 1, 2024, has conducted 110 inspection visits in Riyadh, resulting in the detection of 88 violations. In Jeddah, field teams carried out 86 inspection visits to travel service offices, uncovering four violations. These violations ranged from marketing packages that did not comply with regulations to offering deceptive deals aimed at misleading those wishing to perform Umrah.
General context: Protecting pilgrims within the framework of Vision 2030
These stringent measures come within the context of Saudi Arabia's long history of efforts to organize the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages, which are among the most important religious observances for Muslims worldwide. With the launch of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to increase the capacity to accommodate pilgrims and facilitate their journeys, it has become essential to tighten oversight to ensure the quality of services provided. Eliminating irregular practices such as fraudulent Umrah packages not only protects pilgrims from financial scams but also contributes to enhancing the Kingdom's reputation as a safe and reliable religious destination, ensuring a spiritually enriching, seamless, and obstacle-free experience for all pilgrims.
The importance of the campaign and its expected impact
Domestically, these campaigns help cleanse the travel and tourism market of unscrupulous operators and illicit practices, thereby strengthening trust in compliant companies and fostering fair competition. Internationally, these measures send a clear message to Muslims worldwide that the Kingdom is committed to protecting their rights and ensuring their spiritual journey is free from exploitation. The victims of these fraudulent packages are often from outside the Kingdom and may have saved for years for this trip, making their protection a top priority.
The entities participating in the campaign affirmed that they will continue their inspection tours and expand their scope to include other cities across the Kingdom. They also emphasized that violating establishments will face strict legal penalties, urging all travel agencies to fully comply with the approved regulations and bylaws. At the same time, they encouraged pilgrims to deal only with officially accredited platforms and companies and to immediately report any suspicious practices through the official channels designated for receiving complaints.
