JEDDAH ( WNAM MONITORING): The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has suspended 21 Umrah service companies for failing to meet the required standards last season.
Evaluations of the companies revealed a decline in service quality and violations of the regulations by which they are governed.
The rulings were a reflection of the ministry’s commitment to providing high-quality services to pilgrims, it said.
Of the companies suspended, 15 failed to achieve the necessary evaluation standards and six were found to have committed regulatory violations requiring corrective action, the ministry said.
The ministry said its evaluation system was based on operational and supervisory indicators measuring service quality and regulatory compliance.
The system is designed to enhance competition among service providers, raise performance standards and support the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 by delivering a safe and enjoyable experience for Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque.
The ministry said it would continue to enforce regulations and would not tolerate any shortcomings that affected service quality or compromised pilgrims’ rights.
Continuous evaluation of Umrah service providers remained a key mechanism for developing the sector and improving service quality, it said.
