Second Umrah Gathering Held: The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, in partnership with the Pilgrim Experience Program, hosted the second Umrah organizations' gathering in Makkah to discuss and improve Umrah services under the patronage of Minister Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah.
Introduction of Direct Umrah Program: A new "Direct Umrah Program" was announced to allow Umrah companies to directly serve pilgrims, enhancing service quality and offering opportunities for pilgrims to visit historical sites and explore attractions in the Kingdom.
Focus on Service Improvement and Innovation: The meeting addressed challenges in Umrah service provision, introduced new tools and indicators for service monitoring, and discussed strategic goals for the upcoming Umrah season to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims and improve their overall experience.
Jeddah, August 20, 2024 — The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, in collaboration with the Pilgrim Experience Program (PEP), a key initiative under Saudi Vision 2030, has hosted the second gathering of Umrah organizations at the ministry's headquarters in Makkah. This important event was held under the patronage of Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, and was aimed at advancing the ministry's ongoing strategy to enhance the Umrah experience for pilgrims.
The gathering served as a platform to review and address major challenges faced by Umrah service providers and to implement solutions designed to elevate the quality of services offered. The meeting focused on empowering the private sector to deliver exceptional Umrah services year-round, emphasizing the need for adherence to compliance standards and procedural improvements throughout the pilgrims' journey.
One of the highlights of the meeting was the introduction of several innovative services and tools designed to refine and monitor service quality. This included the announcement of the "Direct Umrah Program," which aims to streamline the Umrah service process by allowing companies and institutions to directly serve pilgrims without intermediaries. This new approach is intended to improve the overall pilgrim experience by facilitating direct access to high-quality services and enhancing their journey with opportunities to visit historical and significant sites related to the Prophet’s biography, as well as exploring various attractions across the Kingdom.
The "Direct Umrah Program" is a strategic initiative designed to support and empower service providers, encouraging them to adopt professional management practices and to organize trips more effectively. This initiative is aligned with the ambitious target of accommodating a record number of pilgrims, with 13.5 million expected in 2023.
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah remains committed to enhancing the Umrah service system as part of its broader objectives under Saudi Vision 2030. The ministry's efforts are focused on increasing the capacity to welcome a growing number of pilgrims each year, ensuring a unique and enriching spiritual experience. The ongoing enhancements and new programs reflect the ministry's dedication to providing high-quality services and achieving the goals set forth in Saudi Vision 2030.