Saudi Arabia has offered Nusuk platform for Bangladeshi visitors increasing accessibility and simplifying the Umrah Journey.

Dr. Tawfig Al-Rabiah, Minister for Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia made this offer during a roadshow at Bangabandhu International Convention Centre in Dhaka on Thursday.

Nusuk, launched in 2022, is the the first-ever official planning, booking and experience platform, to create Hajj or Umrah itinerary to Makkah, Madina, and beyond.

With Nusuk, travelers from all over the world can easily organize their entire visit, from applying for an eVisa to booking hotels and flights.

Saudi Government flagship initiative Nusuk organized its first roadshow promote its official integrated digital platform for the Bangladeshis, planning to visit the kingdom for spiritual and tourism purposes in the presence of Saudi delegates including Alhasan Aldabbagh, Nusuk APAC President.

The roadshow was attended by Bangladeshi business organizations including Umrah companies, tour operators, travel agencies and trade associations among others.

Dr. Tawfig Al-Rabiah, also Chairman of the Pilgrimage Experience Program, said, “Our brotherly relation with Bangladesh is tested and proven over time. We want to take it to a new height and are working on new areas of bilateral cooperation.”

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He said as the custodian of Two Holy Mosques, it is a great honor and privilege for us to host the guests of Allah from across the world.

“It is our holy responsibility and we are committed to do everything possible to make the spiritual journey of the pilgrims safe, accessible, hassle-free and comfortable. We are constantly working on enriching your pilgrimage experience”, he added.

Fahd Hamidaddin, Managing Director of Nusuk said that the roadshow to Bangladesh exceeded expectations, with cross-government and trade partner collaborations, helping us in unlocking tremendous potential for the Bangladeshi travelers.

So far this year, he said Saudi Arabia welcomed over 332,000 Bangladeshi travelers to the country and he looks forward to growing this number to 3 million by 2030.

“Looking at the future, we are excited about working together with our key trade partners and collaborating more closely with them to facilitate fulfilling our brothers and sisters Umrah dream and spiritual and cultural enrichment,”he said.

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Alhasan Aldabbagh, Nusuk APAC President, said, “With Nusuk.sa, our aim is to increase the ease and accessibility for Bangladeshi travelers, especially with the growing numbers of Umrah pilgrims. “

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has taken multiple steps to drive this mission forward, Muslim visitors can apply for online Umrah visas.

“We have streamlined the visa process with issuance in under 24 hours and are offering Visa-on-arrival services to UK/US/Schengen passport holders allowing them to freely perform Umrah and explore the country's unique cultural diversity,”he said.

Besides this, Alhasan Aldabbagh, said Saudi Arabia has increased the duration of Umrah visa to 90 days, reduced the insurance costs for Umrah pilgrims and have made Zamzam water available with any type of visa. Bangladesh is also eligible for the 96-hour Stopover visa that enables Muslims to add Umrah as an itinerary stop.

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