Kuala Lumpur: The Association of Bumiputera Tour Operators Malaysia (Bumitra Malaysia) has formalised a strategic partnership with Saudi Arabian hospitality provider, Maysan International Group, in a move aimed at elevating the quality, accessibility, and professionalism of the country’s umrah services. Bumitra Malaysia president Dr Wan Mohamad Adam Wan Norudin said the collaboration is intended to restore confidence in the local umrah industry while ushering in a new chapter grounded in trust, regulatory compliance, and long-term value for pilgrims.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), 540 Bumitra-licensed members will gain exclusive access to Maysan’s hotel network via their digital booking platform. ‘This initiative not only ensures Bumitra members have reliable access to quality accommodation, but also guarantees consistent service standards and the alignment of shared values,’ Wan Mohamad Adam said.

Further commenting on the partnership, Wan Mohamad Adam emphasised that the collaboration goes beyond commercial interests, describing it as a joint mission to enhance the overall experience for umrah pilgrims, from early reservations to accommodation and hospitality services in the Holy Land. He said the strategic collaboration is also expected to help rebuild public trust in Bumiputera agencies managing haj and umrah packages, especially in light of past incidents involving accommodation booking fraud.

‘Through this MoU, Bumitra aims to establish new confidence by providing Bumiputera agencies with a reliable and credible option for hotel bookings via Maysan International, which now also operates an office in Malaysia,’ he added. Maysan International currently offers over 4,000 rooms of various categories, enabling travel agencies to offer more competitive umrah package prices to customers. ‘This initiative gives agencies greater flexibility to reduce package costs, while also allowing smaller operators to make last-minute hotel bookings without the fear of being deceived,’ he said.