The Egyptian Tourism Chamber has introduced an updated training program for Umrah supervisors, aiming to improve the skills and efficiency of human resources in tourism companies. This move is part of the chamber's plan to develop the training system and keep pace with the rapid changes in the religious tourism sector. The program focuses on the use of digital solutions and modern electronic platforms.
According to Hitham Arefa, a member of the chamber's board of directors and head of the training committee, qualifying human resources is a key aspect of the success of Hajj and Umrah seasons. The training committee continuously works on developing its programs to match the changes in the religious tourism sector. In the past season, which ran from July 2025 to March 2026, the committee trained around 5,000 trainees within the "Umrah Supervisor" program.
The new version of the training program relies more on self-training, allowing trainees to study the content at their own pace, without being tied to traditional training schedules or waiting for long periods to receive the course. Arefa stated that the program aims to prepare qualified cadres capable of dealing with pilgrims and following up on their programs efficiently.
The Umrah supervisor represents the main link between the tourism company and the pilgrims, and is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the program and ensuring commitment to travel, residence, and transportation dates. They also provide necessary support to pilgrims and coordinate with relevant authorities in Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
The religious tourism sector is witnessing continuous movement in the number of workers among tourism companies, making training and continuous updating of knowledge and skills necessary to ensure the existence of cadres capable of dealing with the latest rules and procedures regulating Umrah seasons.
Digital transformation has become a main axis in the new training programs, in line with the application of modern electronic systems that aim to develop mechanisms for monitoring Umrah trips and enhancing control over the implementation of programs. The updated program includes defining supervisors with the new digital systems, including the "Rafiq" application.
The introduction of these digital systems requires updating the skills of workers who have previously received training, especially those who received training years ago according to rules and procedures that differ from the currently applied system. This aims to ensure that tourism companies have qualified staff to manage the Umrah season efficiently.
Key points
- The program aims to prepare qualified cadres capable of dealing with pilgrims and following up on their programs efficiently.
- The new version of the training program relies more on self-training, allowing trainees to study the content at their own pace.
- Digital transformation has become a main axis in the new training programs, in line with the application of modern electronic systems.
