Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Organizes Saudi-Turkish Umrah Companies Meeting to Enhance Cooperation and Advance Service Standards

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah organized today the Saudi-Turkish Umrah Companies Meeting in Jeddah, with the participation of entities and companies operating within the Umrah and Ziyarah service ecosystem from both countries. The event aimed to foster cooperation, enhance coordination among service providers, and explore new opportunities to advance the services provided to Umrah pilgrims and visitors.

The meeting featured a bilateral session between His Excellency the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, and His Excellency the President of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye. During the session, both sides discussed aspects of cooperation in the fields of Umrah and Ziyarah and reinforced coordination to contribute to elevating service delivery for Umrah pilgrims and visitors from the Republic of Türkiye.

The Saudi-Turkish Umrah Companies Meeting represents one of the specialized initiatives within the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum programs. It serves as an extension of the Ministry’s efforts to build institutional cooperation frameworks with its partners, develop the Umrah and Ziyarah service ecosystem, and align operational, regulatory, and conceptual standards among service providers in the Kingdom and the Republic of Türkiye.

The meeting addressed strengthening partnerships between the Saudi and Turkish Umrah ecosystems, enhancing efficiency, coordination, and integration, as well as exploring opportunities for investment, knowledge exchange, and the development of programs and services that elevate the journey of the Umrah pilgrim and visitor.

Held alongside the meeting was an accompanying exhibition featuring 21 exhibitors from the Umrah, aviation, hospitality, tourism, and transportation sectors, showcasing services and solutions offered to Umrah pilgrims and visitors while facilitating networking and collaboration opportunities among participating entities and companies from both nations.

The event also featured the "Nusuk Council" program, with the participation of 40 representatives from Saudi and Turkish companies, alongside business-to-business (B2B) meetings and two enriching interactive zones. These platforms enabled participants to discuss collaborative opportunities and establish strategic partnerships between service providers in both countries.

As part of the event's activities, two workshops were conducted. The first addressed the third edition of the "Tawasul" Award, detailing its approved criteria and tracks for the 1448 AH Umrah season along with its associated awareness program. The second workshop focused on the "Off-Peak Umrah Hosting Incentive," examining marketing incentives offered to distinguished international agents who successfully attract additional Umrah pilgrims outside peak periods, alongside eligibility mechanisms, criteria, and disbursement procedures.

This meeting comes as an extension of the care bestowed by the Wise Leadership—may Allah support them—upon serving the Guests of Allah, and falls within the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to develop the Umrah and Ziyarah service ecosystem and enhance joint cooperation and coordination to elevate service quality for Umrah pilgrims and visitors, in alignment with the objectives of the Pilgrim Experience Program, one of the key programs of Saudi Vision 2030.