Nusuk Umrah: Saudi’s Bid to Control the Pilgrimage Economy

The industry is being sacrificed by Saudi Arabia to prop up state coffers.

Image: Dialogue Pakistan

Saudi Arabia has launched a new initiative, ‘Nusuk Umrah’, designed to streamline the Umrah booking process, removing the need for intermediaries in securing visas for pilgrims travelling to Makkah and Madinah. By consolidating procedures, the programme enables the Kingdom to capture greater profit margins. The Islamic pilgrimage already generates an estimated $12 billion annually and, according to Future Market Insights, is forecast to reach $350 billion by 2032; through Nusuk Umrah, Riyadh seeks to expand its share of this lucrative industry as it confronts the challenges of an increasingly fragile economy. In doing so, the Kingdom effectively drives local and international companies specialising in Hajj and Umrah services out of business.