The Religious Tourism Committee says record demand reflects trust in tourism companies, while acknowledging concerns over lottery success rates.
Lower selection rates affect commercial viability, prompting work on innovative solutions to limited visas and broker activity.
Ahmed Ibrahim, chair of the Egyptian Travel Agents Association’s Religious Tourism Committee and a member of the Supreme Committee for Hajj and Umrah, said strong demand for tourism Hajj in 1448 AH–2027 demonstrated public confidence in tourism companies. More than 145,000 citizens applied, reflecting appreciation of annual service quality and answering doubts about the programme’s success. He said the previous season achieved a 96% success rate and the next target was the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s gold award.
Ibrahim said demand remained high despite applications opening after the Interior and Social Solidarity lotteries and higher booking deposits across programme categories. He attributed this to customer trust and tourism companies’ strong promotion.
At a press conference, he acknowledged companies’ concerns over lower lottery selection rates. In some categories, the number of successful visas per company was not economically viable, particularly after marketing and customer acquisition costs. Forming a group of 45 pilgrims on the Saudi electronic system could require eight or nine companies to join one consortium. He described this challenge as a consequence of strong demand and public and state confidence.
Ibrahim said the committee would immediately coordinate with the ministry and companies to find solutions to declining selection rates, explore marketing methods limiting brokers’ role, and seek better selection opportunities for older applicants.
Egypt’s total Hajj visa allocation was approximately 79,000, with only 31,000 assigned to tourism programmes and divided among several categories. He added that service standards had improved in several areas without price increases, apart from minor exchange-rate differences.
