Thousands of prospective pilgrims flocked to the National Hajj and Umrah Fair 2026 in Dhaka this week, as Bangladesh's pilgrimage industry opened its biggest annual showcase ahead of the Hajj 1448 AH (2027) season. The three-day event drew especially heavy crowds on its second day, which fell on a public holiday.

The fair was organised by the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital. According to The Financial Express, the State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, M Rashiduzzaman Millat, inaugurated the event. The opening session was attended by the Deputy Head of Mission of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Bangladesh, Khalid Saeed Al Hadal, along with HAAB leaders and intending pilgrims.

What the fair offered

The venue hosted 163 stalls. These included HAAB member agencies, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Saudi Airlines and several banks. Many exhibitors offered discounted packages and services for those planning to perform Hajj in 2027 or to travel for Umrah during the current season.

Airfare was a central draw. An official at the Saudi Airlines stall told The Financial Express that the carrier was offering a 20 per cent discount on some fares, and a 10 per cent discount on the Dhaka-Madinah-Dhaka route. To claim the offer, travellers were told to confirm bookings on the Dhaka-Jeddah-Dhaka or Dhaka-Madinah-Dhaka routes within a set booking window. Travel under the discounted tickets was set to run from 1 September to 31 December 2026.

Fairs of this kind serve a practical purpose. They let pilgrims compare licensed agencies, meet airline and bank representatives in one place, and ask questions about visas, accommodation and transport before committing to a package. For a first-time pilgrim, that face-to-face contact can reduce the risk of dealing with unlicensed operators.

Why it matters for 2027 pilgrims

Bangladesh sends one of the largest national contingents to Makkah each year, and demand routinely outstrips the Kingdom's allocated quota. Events like the HAAB fair mark the start of the planning cycle, when families begin locking in agencies and airfares many months before departure.

The timing is significant. Saudi Arabia has moved its Hajj 2027 preparations forward, with tighter deadlines for registration, payments and service contracts across sending countries. Pilgrims who plan early are better placed to secure preferred packages and avoid last-minute price rises.

The presence of a senior Saudi diplomat at the opening also signals the close coordination between Dhaka and Riyadh on pilgrim logistics. The Kingdom has been pushing sending nations to finalise arrangements sooner, part of a wider drive to streamline services and manage rising pilgrim numbers.

The fair also reflects a broader shift in how the pilgrimage is marketed and managed in Bangladesh. Digital booking, transparent pricing and direct airline participation are steadily replacing the informal arrangements of the past. For many families, saving on airfare is decisive, since flights are among the largest single costs of the journey. A discount of 10 to 20 per cent can meaningfully lower the total package price.

Practical tips for intending pilgrims

For those considering Hajj 2027 or an Umrah trip, a few steps can help:

  • Verify the agency. Deal only with HAAB-registered agencies and confirm their licence status before paying any money.
  • Get everything in writing. Ask for a clear breakdown of what a package covers, including flights, accommodation distance from the Haram, meals and transport.
  • Mind the deadlines. Discounted airfares and early-bird packages carry booking cut-off dates. Note them and keep proof of payment.
  • Check your passport early. Ensure it has enough validity for the full travel period, and start any vaccination requirements in good time.
  • Compare, don't rush. Use the fair to compare several agencies rather than committing to the first attractive offer.

With the Hajj 2027 season now firmly in view, the strong turnout in Dhaka is an early sign of the demand the coming pilgrimage season will bring.