The dedication to serve the two sacred mosques and pilgrims has not changed during Saudi Arabia’s development. The aim of the Pilgrim Experience Program is to boost the spiritual expeditions of pilgrims.
The pilgrim experience program offers top notch amenities, upgraded infrastructure, and Digital Services to guarantee every pilgrim receives a memorable experience.
One initiative Saudi Arabia wants to use to accomplish Saudi Vision 2030 is the Pilgrim Experience Program. The program is designed to facilitate as many Muslims as possible to complete Hajj and Umrah in the most optimal way. It also aims to give pilgrims a memorable experience by providing e-visas for international pilgrims and introducing the Haramain high speed train, which facilitates travel between Jeddah Airport and the Holy sites, spreading Islam’s message, preparing tourist spots, and offering quality services throughout their visit to Makkah, Al-Madinah and holy sites. Moreover, the program showcases Saudi Arabia’s esteemed and sophisticated reputation in catering to the two Holy mosques and the visitors of Allah. The pilgrim experience program was initiated in 2019 by king Salman Bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, the custodian of the two holy mosques, in line with the longstanding tradition of caring for the holy sites by Saudi kings since the time of its establishment.
By thoroughly examining the journey, requirements, and aspirations of a pilgrim, the program collaborates closely with governmental bodies and the private sectors to guarantee that Hajj packages for UK pilgrims can undergo a truly life changing spiritual journey.
The program exemplifies nimbleness and strategic expertise, swiftly ensuring a successful pilgrimage journey (manasik) by protecting against threats and having skilled personnel available. As the Global situation improves, the program plans to boost the number of pilgrims to exceed levels, aiming to accommodate 15 million International Umrah pilgrims each year by 2025. The program thinks that private sector support is essential to enhancing the kingdom’s reputation as a modern Islamic and cultural destination for pilgrims.
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A program to boost pilgrim’s experience
The ministry of Hajj in Umrah introduced the direct Umrah program, enabling companies to serve pilgrims directly, maintaining high standards without intermediaries.
The goal is to improve programs’ experiences by visiting historical sites related to the prophet’s life and exploring the kingdom’s various attractions. The program supports service providers, encouraging the companies and promoting the adoption of expert destination management and trip organization, following the recording of 13.5 million pilgrims in 2023.
The significance of technology in enhancing the Hajj and Umrah experience was recently highlighted by Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, the Saudi minister of hajj and Umrah.
In January 2024, he emphasized once again his ministry’s dedication to aiding technological solutions and expert services within the sector.
The ministry, with the support of the pilgrim experience program under Saudi vision 2030, organized the second meeting of Umrah organizations in Makkah, headed by Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah. According to the Saudi press agency, this meeting was in line with the ministry’s plan to improve the Umrah experience and support the private sector in offering services throughout the year.
It also simplifies processes and ensures dedication and adherence to standards during the February Umrah trip. The meeting discussed difficulties and suggested ways to guarantee high quality services, presenting businesses with new tools and metrics to track performance. It also covered strategic plans for the Umrah season and introduced new services.
The ministry of Hajj and Umrah strives to improve Umrah services annually to accommodate more pilgrims and offer a rewarding religious experience in alignment with Saudi vision 2030.
