The Cabinet Media Center has clarified the truth about reports circulating regarding the suspension of electronic dealings with Egyptian travel companies organizing Umrah on Saudi Arabia's "Nusuk" platform, through an official statement on its social media platforms.
The Media Center said that, after contacting the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the ministry denied reports that large numbers of Egyptian travel companies had been suspended from dealing on the "Nusuk" platform, pointing out that what happened was a temporary suspension of some companies after it was found that they had not complied with the entry and departure dates and accommodation locations listed on the Egyptian Umrah portal.
The ministry stressed that the number of suspended companies is variable rather than fixed, as dealing on the platform is restored for companies as soon as they update their pilgrims' data and match it to reality.
The ministry added that it has not prevented any Umrah trips by travel companies licensed to operate them, and that the measures being taken are part of organizing and ensuring the Umrah season runs smoothly until its end without any obstacles or hindrances.
It noted that the vast majority of Egyptian travel companies organizing Umrah trips comply with all applicable rules and instructions and implement their programs professionally and with discipline, which has been reflected in Umrah trips by compliant companies running regularly without any obstacles.
The ministry explained that an official circular was issued on 11 December to all travel companies on the need to comply with all Umrah program data listed on the Egyptian portal, stressing that any breach of that data exposes the company to legal accountability in accordance with the regulating rules.
On the other side, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah issued several circulars via the "Nusuk" platform, stressing the importance of full consistency between the data registered on the platform and the actual movements of Umrah pilgrims within the Kingdom, especially regarding accommodation data and length of stay.
It added that these circulars came after it was found that some companies had not complied with the entry and departure dates of their groups, as well as the accommodation locations listed on the platform. Although the Saudi side granted a grace period to correct the status of pilgrims inside the Kingdom and reconcile their data with the documented programs, the failure of some companies to complete the correction procedures led to electronic dealings with them being suspended until they update their data and match it to actual reality, after which dealings with these companies will resume.
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities stressed that there is constant communication and coordination with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to follow up on the situation as it develops, ensuring the continuity and regularity of Umrah trips, and confirming that the restoration of services on the "Nusuk" platform for suspended companies is directly linked to their completing the correction of their status and matching their data to reality, according to the official Facebook page of the Egyptian Cabinet.
