Connectivity has now become an integral part of the pilgrimage experience more than one may think. Hajj and Umrah pilgrims have to be more connected now more than ever. Smartphones and connectivity have become essential for navigating one of the most densely populated gatherings on earth.
Moreover, several apps that provide religious guidance have become digital. And some of the rituals may require location awareness and precise timing to provide instructions and alerts to pilgrims. Not to mention, pilgrims who want to be in constant communication with their family back home.
Despite how much connectivity matters to pilgrims, many still face avoidable issues once they arrive in Makkah and Madinah. This article discusses how hotels, travel operators, and hospitality providers can launch a dedicated Hajj & Umrah eSIM for pilgrims, solving a real logistical problem and generating revenue.
Why Hajj & Umrah Pilgrims Have Unique Connectivity Needs
One would expect Hajj & Umrah tourists to already face the same issues as typical tourists. High-cost roaming services, long airport queues to buy local SIMs, language barriers when trying to get a SIM, and even unreliable hotel WiFi. The broader circumstances of the pilgrimage even exacerbate these issues, and once again, eSIMs remain the solution, but pilgrims have unique needs. Here are a few reasons why:
Firstly, the scale and density are extreme. Locations like Makkah, Madinah, Mina, and Arafat receive millions of pilgrims at a time. This is the usual culprit for network congestion, slow hotel Wi-Fi, and poor roaming connections. Hence, a solution that would work for a typical city tour will fail under pilgrimage conditions.
Also, movement is constant, with pilgrims traveling between holy sites on strict timelines. Connectivity is essential on the move for navigation, group coordination, getting transport updates, and emergencies.
As such, pilgrims need reliable, instant cross-location connectivity that can serve them over the few weeks of the pilgrimage and remove friction during what is a lifetime journey. Hajj eSIMs prove to be the perfect solution that caters to the unique connectivity needs of the pilgrimage.
Who Should Launch These eSIM Packages and Why
eSIM offers already exist from several operators, but some already sit at the natural point of trust and distribution. Here are the most positioned operators to offer eSIMs for pilgrimage:
- Hajj & Umrah travel agencies: These agencies already control the pre-departure experience and are positioned to include a Saudi Arabia eSIM package. Pilgrims already depend on them for visas, flights, accommodation, and guidance, so connectivity is another problem they can help travelers solve before arrival.
- Hotels in Makkah & Madinah: Hotels interact with pilgrims at the point when they are experiencing connectivity issues, making it easier to sell eSIM packages. They can include Hajj eSIMs at check-in or via guest portals to create a new revenue stream without operational expenses.
- Hospitality tech providers: Platforms that provide Wi-Fi, guest apps, and captive portals for hotels can embed an Hajj eSIM offer into their existing systems. Connectivity is a pain point, with high demand from operators for a solution.
- Existing Business: It makes sense for existing eSIM businesses to launch special packages for Hajj & Umrah. Pilgrimage already brings built-in demand, and the timing is predictable. It would be a low-risk endeavor for a high-demand solution.
Designing the Right Hajj & Umrah eSIM Package
The kinds of eSIM solutions travellers will need during Hajj & Umrah are defined by the pilgrimage experience, so operators would need to offer the right solutions for any success. It’s not a global travel eSIM with a Hajj & Umrah label, but one that matches how pilgrims actually use connectivity. Here are some key elements for designing the right eSIM for pilgrimage package:
- High data allowance: Pilgrims do not use mobile data casually. They require constant connectivity for maps, messaging apps, livestreams, video calls, ride-hailing, hotel coordination and more. Low-data plans can stifle the convenience they expect when they find a lasting solution to their connectivity problems.
- Clear Saudi-only coverage: The Saudi Arabia eSIM packages should clearly state that coverage is limited to the country only. This is advised to avoid confusion or disappointment after activation.
- QR activation: A simple QR activation, where pilgrims can get instant connectivity in about two minutes is the most ideal. A significant percentage of Hajj & Umrah pilgrims are elderly and not tech-savvy, so if activation requires many steps and is in a single language, it’s poorly designed.
Additionally, the pricing for your eSIM package should be completely transparent, without hidden roaming charges. It would help to sell better if pricing also reflected pilgrimage psychology and tapped into the spiritual messaging. So instead of the typical upsell tactics, the right Umrah & Hajj eSIM sells a story about peace, connection, safety, and a stress-free connectivity solution while they can focus on the spiritual activity.
Conclusion: Connectivity as Part of the Pilgrimage Experience
Pilgrims value peace of mind and simplicity when choosing a connectivity solution, and eSIMs for pilgrimage are prime offers in the region. A dedicated Hajj & Umrah eSIM package addresses the typical pain points and offers a solution tailored to the pilgrimage experience. For travel agencies, hotels, and hospitality tech providers, this is an avenue to create a scalable digital revenue stream.
If you’re looking to take advantage of the pilgrimage demand, Limitflex provides easy white-label eSIM solutions to set you up and design the right package for pilgrims. Reach out to us at Get in touch at hello@limitflex.com today.
