The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced on Sunday that it has temporarily suspended contracts with 1,800 foreign travel agencies out of approximately 5,800 operating in the sector.

The decision follows a regulatory evaluation that identified significant shortcomings in performance and service quality.

While the specific nationalities of the affected agencies—including whether any are from Bangladesh—have not yet been confirmed, the ministry has granted a 10-day grace period for the firms to rectify their service issues.

Protection for Existing Pilgrims
The ministry clarified that this suspension is a regulatory measure aimed at bringing agencies back in line with approved standards and only applies to the issuance of new visas.

To ensure travelers are not inconvenienced, the ministry emphasized:

• Existing Visas: Pilgrims with already issued, valid visas are unaffected.
• Existing Bookings: Those with confirmed bookings will receive their services as scheduled.
• Reinstatement: Contracts will be reactivated once agencies demonstrate they have met the required conditions within the 10-day window.

Enforcement and Accountability
Ministry spokesperson Ghassan Al-Nuaimi warned that strict legal action will be taken against any agency that fails to resolve its deficiencies within the stipulated timeframe.

The move is part of Saudi Arabia's broader effort to enhance the pilgrimage experience under its Vision 2030 program, ensuring high-quality hospitality for millions of visitors arriving for Umrah each year.

Source: Khaleej Times / Saudi Press Agency