The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has implemented a new policy for 2025. Hajj operators need to have a minimum of 500 pilgrims to be accredited. This is causing concern for the South African Hajj and Umrah travel industry.
According to a statement made by Hassan Choonara , Secretary General of The South African Hajj and Umrah Council (SAHUC), the council has engaged the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and appealed this new requirement, which has been implemented across the globe for all operators facilitating Hajj.
Sedick Steenkamp , Director of Al Safir Tourismand Chairman of the South African Muslim Travel Operators Association, points out that the requirement may have a severe impact on the South African Hajj travel industry, as the country has a limited national quota of only 2500 pilgrims.
If operators do not have 500 pilgrims, then they cannot trade and send their pilgrims for Hajj Whether there will be an increase in the national quota or further concessions, we don't know at this stage. However, this is catastrophic for Hajj operators in South Africa, in that we would only have a maximum of four or five companies operating if the 500 minimum quota of pilgrims per operator remains intact by the Ministry, explains Steenkamp.
Currently, we're expecting about 18 or so companies to apply for Hajj accreditation, but because of the scarcity of the quota and the minimum numbers, it's unrealistic. It's not possible for everybody to operate and so the travel fraternity has to put their heads together to see how we can solve this because it's killing their business.
