Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced an integrated electronic package for foreign pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj season. Every service a pilgrim needs, from arrival in the kingdom to the journey home, will come under a single contract, Barta24 reports.
The ministry said the package, offered through a digital platform, will cover accommodation, transport, meals and services at the holy sites, with the option of adding some extra services. National Hajj offices and agencies will be able to arrange programmes to suit their own needs.
Until now a separate contract had to be signed with each service provider. Under the new system the services for a pilgrim's whole journey can be included in one integrated contract, which the ministry says will simplify the process and increase transparency. Much of Hajj management, from visas to contracts and operations, has already moved onto an electronic system.
To prepare for the Hajj season of 1448 AH, the ministry has met representatives of Hajj offices from more than 75 countries to discuss plans, regulations and conditions. The initiative is part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and its goal of improving the pilgrim experience.
In the last Hajj season 1,707,301 people performed the pilgrimage, of whom 1,546,655 came from abroad and 160,646 from within Saudi Arabia. Most pilgrims, in other words, come from overseas, and their services are coordinated through foreign Hajj agencies.
Saudi Arabia aims by 2030 to be able to receive 30 million Umrah pilgrims a year and to raise Hajj and Umrah pilgrims' satisfaction to 90 percent. Simplifying service arrangements before pilgrims arrive, and improving their experience during their stay, are named as the programme's priorities.
Photo: Fadi El Binni, Al Jazeera English / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Source: Barta24
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