The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has continued its field monitoring of Umrah programs in Saudi Arabia, specifically in Mecca and Medina, to ensure that tourism companies are implementing their approved programs and providing high-quality services to Egyptian pilgrims. This effort is part of the ministry's regulatory and oversight role, aimed at protecting the rights of Egyptian pilgrims and ensuring their comfort during their stay in Saudi Arabia. The monitoring is being carried out by committees from the ministry's Central Administration for Tourism Companies.
According to Samia Sami, Assistant Minister of Tourism and Antiquities for Tourism Companies and Chair of the Supreme Hajj and Umrah Committee, the ministry's committees in Saudi Arabia are working around the clock to monitor the implementation of approved Umrah programs by tourism companies. The committees are also responsible for identifying any issues that may affect the quality of services provided and intervening promptly to resolve any problems that may arise. Sami emphasized that the majority of tourism companies are adhering to their approved programs and providing the agreed-upon services to pilgrims.
The ministry's committees are conducting regular visits to hotels where Egyptian pilgrims are staying in Mecca and Medina to ensure that they are receiving the services they contracted for. During these visits, the committees also meet with pilgrims to listen to their concerns and gather feedback on the services provided. This feedback is then used to address any issues promptly and ensure that pilgrims' rights are protected. The committees are also promoting the use of the "Rafiq" electronic application, which was launched this season to facilitate communication between pilgrims, tourism companies, and the ministry.
The "Rafiq" application allows pilgrims to confirm their departure from Egyptian airports, arrival at their accommodations in Mecca and Medina, and return to Egypt. The application also enables pilgrims to send feedback and reports, which are monitored and responded to promptly by the ministry's committees. The data provided by the application is used to track the implementation of Umrah programs and identify any issues that may arise.
The ministry has designated two offices in Saudi Arabia to receive Egyptian pilgrims and representatives of Egyptian tourism companies, and to address any concerns or complaints they may have. These offices are located in Mecca and Medina, and pilgrims can visit them to report any issues or seek assistance. The ministry is urging pilgrims to communicate with its committees if they encounter any problems or have concerns about the services provided.
The ministry's committees are working closely with the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and other relevant authorities to ensure that Egyptian pilgrims receive the best possible care and services during their stay in Saudi Arabia. The committees are also responsible for taking legal action against any tourism companies that fail to comply with their approved programs.
The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is committed to ensuring that Egyptian pilgrims have a safe and comfortable experience during their Umrah pilgrimage. The ministry's monitoring efforts are aimed at protecting the rights of pilgrims and ensuring that they receive high-quality services from tourism companies.
Key points
- The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is conducting field monitoring of Umrah programs in Saudi Arabia to ensure the quality of services provided to Egyptian pilgrims.
