Cairo: The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has launched an integrated electronic system to track buses transporting overland Hajj pilgrims outside Egyptian territory. This initiative aims to enhance real-time monitoring, improve operational efficiency, and ensure high safety and service standards for pilgrims.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the system has been introduced by the ministry's Central Administration for Tourism Companies under the directives of Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy. The focus is on upgrading the tourist Hajj framework, particularly for overland trips, by expanding the use of advanced technology for better oversight.

Assistant Minister for Tourism Companies and Head of the Supreme Committee for Umrah and Hajj Samia Sami explained that the system utilizes GPS devices to track buses from their departure in Egypt, passing through Nuweiba seaport, Jordan's Aqaba port, and onward to Saudi Arabia, including destinations such as Mecca and Madinah.

A notable feature this season is the extension of tracking coverage beyond Egypt to include the routes to Jordan and Saudi Arabia. This development allows for continuous monitoring throughout the journey, marking an unprecedented advancement in supervising overland Hajj trips.

This season, approximately 6,000 overland pilgrims will be transported on 130 tourist buses. Sami highlighted that the monitoring will be conducted via a comprehensive system that combines real-time tracking at the ministry's vehicle monitoring center with on-the-ground follow-up by ministry committees stationed along the route.

Sami emphasized that the system represents a significant step in organizing and monitoring overland Hajj trips and underscores the ministry's commitment to digital transformation and improving services for Egyptian pilgrims.