MAKKAH: Digital innovation is rapidly reshaping Saudi Arabia’s Hajj and Umrah services sector, and Saudi application Hudhud is another front-runner.
With the influx of Umrah pilgrims all year round, navigating Makkah’s complex web of alleys and traffic can be difficult for those unfamiliar with the city.
This is where Hudhud steps in to help and guide pilgrims and visitors to Makkah’s religious, historic and tourist sites through detailed digital maps and advanced navigation system.
Hudhud, which runs in multiple languages, draws on modern mapping technology to deliver accurate location data and plot the optimal route to the desired destination.
Saad Al-Joudi, a specialist in Hajj and Umrah affairs, said that homegrown mapping and navigation apps were now a core element of the pilgrim services ecosystem.
“Hudhud represents a model for Saudi technology that can add real value to the Umrah experience,” he said. “Its role is not limited to directing users to their destination. It also helps them discover places they may not have known about — historic sites, landmarks of religious significance, or services they need along the way.”
Al-Joudi said that the Kingdom’s digital transformation is now visible in the everyday experience of pilgrims, and that reliable national mapping elevates service quality across the board as travelers increasingly plan and navigate entirely by smartphone.
Such apps, he added, advance Vision 2030 goals of improving the pilgrim experience and putting modern technology to optimal use.
Easier access to religious and historic sites enriches the pilgrims’ visit culturally as much as logistically, giving them a structured way into Makkah’s history and Islamic heritage.
Samir Al-Maghrabi, who is visiting Makkah for the first time, said that the app helped him to reach a series of religious and historic sites without vigorous online searches or stopping strangers and asking them for directions.
“I wanted to visit several landmarks connected to Makkah’s history, but I did not know where they were or the best way to get to them,” he said. “Using the app saved me a lot of time. The maps were clear and easy to use, which made getting around far more comfortable and let me spend my time on worship and visiting historical places.”
