RIYADH: The Pilgrim Experience Program, a key initiative under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, issued its 2024 annual report, showing a 101 percent increase in arrivals compared with 2022 — an achievement attributed to cross-sector integration and streamlined procedures facilitating pilgrimages.
The report highlighted the program’s and its affiliated entities’ achievements in enhancing services for pilgrims, Umrah performers, and visitors, showing the Kingdom’s efforts to provide a rich, seamless and spiritually fulfilling experience from planning to safe return.
According to the report, in 2024 more than 18.5 million pilgrims and Umrah performers arrived from abroad, including 16.92 million Umrah performers, exceeding the year’s targets.
It noted that 89 initiatives, implemented with more than 40 government entities, achieved a 95 percent compliance rate. These initiatives cover all stages of the pilgrim journey, including transport, rituals, and visits to historical and religious sites.
Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, minister of Hajj and Umrah and chairman of the Pilgrim Experience Program committee, said that the Saudi leadership has prioritized serving Hajj and Umrah pilgrims as a key goal of Vision 2030.
Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah hosted more than 13 million visitors in 2024, up from 4 million in 2022. Visitor satisfaction rose from 57 percent to 81 percent, reflecting improved service quality and experience.
Volunteer engagement grew significantly, with more than 153,000 volunteers serving pilgrims in 2024, up from 15,000 in 2022 — showing a stronger culture of social participation.
Internationally, the program led 33 overseas visits with public and private partners, addressing logistical challenges, opening new routes, increasing seat capacity and easing travel for pilgrims.
The Hajj and Umrah minister emphasized that these achievements result from the efforts of more than 40 partner organisations, each working with a sense of religious and national duty.
Globally, Makkah ranked fifth in international visitor numbers, while Madinah climbed to seventh in the global tourism performance index, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a leading spiritual and cultural destination.
The report also highlighted advances in digital services, notably the Nusuk platform, which now offers more than 100 services to streamline travel, booking, and pilgrimage arrangements.
Meanwhile, the Makkah Route initiative, designed to expedite travel procedures for pilgrims in their home countries, has benefited more than 940,000 travelers since its inception.
The report concluded by emphasizing that these milestones reflect the support of the Kingdom’s leadership and the efforts of various government agencies.
It reaffirmed that serving pilgrims remains a top national priority, with continued innovation and integration to enhance their religious and cultural journey in line with Vision 2030 aspirations.
