Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has suspended 21 companies providing services to Umrah pilgrims after inspections and performance reviews uncovered regulatory violations and declining service standards. The move comes as part of the Kingdom’s preparations for the upcoming Umrah season and reflects its broader efforts to strengthen oversight, improve service quality, and safeguard the rights of pilgrims.
Performance Reviews Trigger Action
According to the ministry, the decision followed comprehensive evaluations conducted after the previous Umrah season. The assessments revealed shortcomings in service delivery among several operators, along with breaches of regulations governing Umrah services. Of the suspended firms, 15 were penalised for recording low performance scores based on approved evaluation indicators. The remaining six companies were suspended for committing regulatory violations that required formal legal and corrective action.
Evaluation System Focuses on Quality
The ministry said its evaluation framework relies on a set of operational and supervisory indicators designed to measure both service quality and compliance with established regulations. Officials noted that the system is intended to promote healthy competition among service providers, raise industry standards, and support the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 by ensuring a safe, efficient and high-quality experience for Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque.
Zero Tolerance for Service Lapses
Reaffirming its commitment to strict regulatory enforcement, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah stressed that it would not tolerate shortcomings that negatively impact pilgrims or compromise service quality. The ministry added that continuous monitoring and evaluation of service providers remain central to its strategy for developing the Umrah sector and improving the overall pilgrim experience.
Wider Regulatory Push
The latest action follows an earlier enforcement measure in February, when Saudi authorities suspended contracts of around 1,800 foreign travel agencies operating in the Umrah sector. At the time, the ministry said the affected agencies were given a 10-day grace period to address deficiencies identified during periodic assessments of performance and service quality. The suspension was limited to the issuance of new visas, with contracts eligible for reactivation once compliance requirements were met. The ministry said such measures form part of an ongoing regulatory approach aimed at enhancing accountability, improving service standards, and ensuring that pilgrims receive the level of service expected under the Kingdom’s evolving Umrah framework.
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