New Umrah program to boost pilgrim experience

The program supports service providers, encouraging companies to adopt professional destination management and trip organization. (SPA)
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Updated 20 August 2024
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New Umrah program to boost pilgrim experience

  • Initiative ensures top-quality services without intermediaries

RIYADH: The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has announced the Direct Umrah Program, which allows companies to serve pilgrims directly, ensuring high-quality standards without intermediaries.

The aim is to enhance pilgrims’ experiences through visits to historical sites linked to the Prophet’s life and discovering the Kingdom’s attractions.

The program supports service providers, encouraging companies to adopt professional destination management and trip organization, after 13.5 million pilgrims were recorded in 2023.

HIGHLIGHT

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah held the second Umrah organizations’ gathering in Makkah to address challenges and propose solutions to ensure top-quality services and introduce companies to new tools and indicators for monitoring performance.

In collaboration with the Pilgrim Experience Program, part of Saudi Vision 2030, the ministry held the second Umrah organizations’ gathering in Makkah, led by Hajj and Umrah Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah.

This meeting aligned with the ministry’s strategy to enhance the Umrah experience and empower the private sector to provide services year-round, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

It also streamlines procedures and enforces commitment and compliance standards throughout the Umrah journey.

The meeting addressed challenges and proposed solutions to ensure top-quality services, introducing companies to new tools and indicators for monitoring performance. It also discussed strategic directions for the Umrah season and launched innovative services.

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah continues to enhance Umrah services, with the intention each year to welcome more pilgrims and provide a rich, unique faith journey in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

 


Rare exhibits on display at King Abdulaziz Palace

Updated 30 January 2026
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Rare exhibits on display at King Abdulaziz Palace

  • The piece reflects the precision of traditional craftsmanship and its social symbolism tied to strength and horsemanship

RIYADH: Exhibits on display at the King Abdulaziz Palace in the historic village of Laynah highlight rich aspects of human history and environmental change in the Arabian Peninsula as part of a series of palace activation events organized by the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve Development Authority during the Darb Zubaida Winter Season.

The exhibits feature rare historical artifacts carrying cultural and scientific significance that document different lifestyles and environmental shifts in the region over the centuries.

Among the most notable pieces is a traditional rifle crafted from natural wood and fitted with a handwoven leather strap, historically used for hunting and protection.

The piece reflects the precision of traditional craftsmanship and its social symbolism tied to strength and horsemanship.

The authority stated that the palace welcomes visitors daily until Feb. 15, from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., as part of unified tourism programs aimed at organizing visitor flow and providing opportunities to explore historical sites in a safe and engaging environment.