Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, announced a remarkable milestone in Umrah pilgrimage for the year 2023. During his address at the 3rd annual Hajj and Umrah Services Conference and Exhibition at Jeddah Superdome, he revealed that the number of pilgrims who performed Umrah in 2023 reached an unprecedented 13.55 million. This signifies a significant increase of five million pilgrims or 58 percent compared to the year 2019.
Dr. Al-Rabiah attributed this surge to the elaborate facilities and arrangements made by the Saudi government, highlighting that the previous record for Umrah pilgrims from outside the Kingdom was 8.55 million in 2019. The minister emphasized that the current figure of 13.55 million is the highest in the history of foreign Umrah pilgrims, reflecting the success of Saudi efforts in facilitating the pilgrimage experience.
The ongoing conference, held under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, has seen the participation of ministers and leaders from over 80 countries. Notably, the event is set to witness the signing of Hajj agreements with participating nations. Dr. Al-Rabiah also shared that this year, more than 35 companies are providing services during Hajj, a notable increase from the 20 companies involved in the previous year.
Saudi Arabia has invested significantly in infrastructure development at holy sites, launching projects worth over SR5 billion. The minister highlighted efforts to train personnel in the Hajj and Umrah system, with over 120,000 individuals set to be trained this year. Additionally, awareness initiatives have been implemented, including the establishment of an awareness center in collaboration with the General Authority of Endowments.
In terms of international collaboration, the minister mentioned that expatriates from all Gulf countries are now permitted to issue electronic visas for visiting the Kingdom and performing Umrah. Efforts have been made to enhance transportation, with plans to increase direct flights from 164 to 216 destinations, representing a 32 percent increase.
Moreover historical sites are being developed to enrich the overall pilgrimage experience for visitors. Overall, these initiatives showcase Saudi Arabia’s commitment to improving pilgrimage services and fostering a positive experience for Umrah pilgrims.
