Tourism Breaking News
Saudi joined Umrah+ Connect, a leading B2B platform dedicated to the Umrah travel market to share Saudi’s Umrah offering with UK and European trade partners. Taking place during the World Travel Market, where Saudi is this year’s Premier Partner, Umrah+ Connect brings together leading DMC’s, airlines, hoteliers, and Umrah companies.
Following the success of last year’s first major B2B Umrah event in London, Umrah+ Connect took place in association with Nusuk, Saudi’s first official integrated digital platform that offers pilgrims and visitors an easy-to-use planning gateway for their journeys to Makkah and Madinah, and beyond.
This comes off the back of the recent global launch of Nusuk by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Nusuk is an initiative of the Vision 2030 Pilgrim Experience Program which has seen roadshows taking place in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Egypt and Indonesia.
Nusuk will expand the range of choice and enhance the overall experience for Muslims visiting Saudi and enable simpler arrival procedures for visitors to perform Umrah. Nusuk will also offer a new range of services including facilitating visas, permits, booking processes and procedures, along with special packages for Makkah, Madinah and beyond.
His Excellency the Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Chairman of the Committee for the Pilgrim Experience Program, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, said, “The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah continues its efforts in cooperation and collaboration with government entities in Saudi Arabia to serve the pilgrims of Makkah and Madinah through Nusuk. We are using the most advanced technology to enrich the spiritual experience of the pilgrim and visitor. Nusuk’s sponsorship of this event is a symbol of our commitment to bringing Nusuk to our partners and to the tens of millions Muslims across Europe and North America.”
Fahd Hamidaddin, Nusuk Managing Director, said, “Saudi is committed to serving Muslims from all over the world. Nusuk will make it easier and more accessible for pilgrims and visitors to plan their spiritual journey to Makkah and Madinah seamlessly and with confidence. There are more than three million Muslims living in the UK and together with our partners at Umrah+ Connect, Saudi is opening a gateway to enhance and enrich the Umrah experience for British Muslims, and Muslims globally.”
The launch of Nusuk is one of the most significant announcements since the Saudi eVisa in 2019 and makes it possible for visitors on any Saudi visa to perform Umrah outside of Hajj season. Facilitating ease of experience is part of Saudi’s roadmap to allow more Muslims to visit the birthplace of Islam and improve the religious cultural sites experience.
The UK is one of 49 countries where citizens can apply easily for an eVisa to visit Saudi. Recently, Saudi expanded eVisa regulations to include permanent residents of the UK and Saudi has lifted all travel Covid restrictions for international travelers.
Further information about Nusuk can be found at nusuk.sa.
