Cairo - Egypt
The current Umrah season witnessed an unprecedented digital transformation led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which launched an integrated electronic system to manage the journey of the pilgrims from the issuance of the visa until departure, within the framework of Vision 2030. In keeping with this system, Egypt has intensified its efforts to organize the religious tourism sector through smart applications that link pilgrims to official authorities.

A multiple-entry visa for one year...and the “Nask” platform for services

In a remarkable development, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced a multiple-entry Umrah visa valid for 365 days, allowing pilgrims to visit the Kingdom several times for a total stay of 90 days, with the requirement to purchase a service package from an approved provider through the “Nask” platform and obtain an Umrah permit before travelling, which sets new standards for organizing trips globally.

The Egyptian “Rafiq” application accompanies the pilgrim, moment by moment
In Cairo, the Egyptian government launched the “Rafiq” application to follow the journey of Egyptian pilgrims from the moment of his travel until his return, including accommodation in Mecca and Medina, means of transportation, and all details of the program. Wael Zaatar, a tourism expert, confirmed that these measures aim to protect pilgrims from fictitious entities and intermediaries, in addition to protecting licensed tourism companies and the state’s rights through taxes and insurance.

Comfort for the Egyptian pilgrim and an opportunity for the Arab investor

For the Egyptian pilgrim, this system represents a safety cordon that guarantees an organized trip and real-time follow-up through the “Rafiq” application. As for the Arab investor in the religious tourism sector, electronic regulation creates a fair environment that protects licensed companies and encourages investment in improving services, especially with the increasing numbers of pilgrims from various Arab and Islamic countries who benefit from these digital platforms.