Hajj agencies serving pilgrims from abroad will be able to arrange accommodation, transport, meals and services at the holy sites through a single contract for the 2027 Hajj season under a new package announced by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
The “all-inclusive package” replaces separate agreements with individual service providers. Pilgrims’ affairs offices and overseas Hajj agencies can submit a single electronic request covering essential services from pilgrims’ arrival in Saudi Arabia until their departure.
According to Arab News, the ministry said the system would simplify procedures, improve transparency and clarify contractual relationships among agencies, pilgrims’ affairs offices and service companies.
The package covers four main areas: services at the holy sites, accommodation in Mecca and Madinah, transport and meals. Agencies can also add optional services to tailor packages for different groups of pilgrims.
Previously, organisers had to sign separate agreements with individual service providers. The new model brings those arrangements together through a single request covering the pilgrims’ full journey, the ministry said.
It is intended to give all parties a clearer understanding of the services included in each contract and how they will be delivered.
The launch is part of Saudi Arabia’s early preparations for the 2027 Hajj season and supports the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and its Pilgrim Experience Program.
The initiative builds on Nusuk Masar, a platform launched in June 2024 to connect pilgrims, staff, service companies and pilgrims’ affairs offices. The platform allows providers to create flexible packages and complete contracts digitally, bringing procedures previously handled through separate channels into one system.
Overseas pilgrims make up the vast majority of Hajj participants. According to the General Authority for Statistics, 1,546,655 of the 1,707,301 pilgrims during the latest Hajj season came from outside Saudi Arabia, compared with 160,646 domestic pilgrims.
The Pilgrim Experience Program aims to increase Saudi Arabia’s capacity to receive 30 million Umrah pilgrims by 2030 and raise pilgrim satisfaction to 90% that year. Improving the experience before arrival and throughout pilgrims’ stay has been a priority since the programme was launched.
Earlier, the ministry announced this year’s Umrah calendar and opened agent qualification and final contracting services through Nusuk Masar.
The ministry generally announces Hajj arrangements in stages, beginning with contracting requirements and providing operational details for services at the holy sites closer to the start of the pilgrimage.