Saudia Group has revealed its plan to provide Hajj services to the Guests of God from outside the Kingdom during the 1447 AH Hajj season, through integrated packages benefiting 4,200 pilgrims from 43 countries around the world, a growth of 300% compared with last Hajj season.
The plan includes building a developed two-storey site at Arafat, with the aim of making the most of the space to serve larger numbers of pilgrims while providing an advanced level of comfort and services, as well as constructing buildings that help reduce temperatures and accommodate the growing numbers the group serves, according to a post on Saudia's LinkedIn account.
Saudia Group's companies work together to provide a comprehensive system of services for pilgrims: Saudia Hajj and Umrah provides distinctive services to enrich the spiritual experience, while Saudia Real Estate implements the buildings project at the holy sites according to quality and safety standards, ensuring smooth movement and pilgrims' comfort.
The system also includes providing the "Hajj Without Luggage" service through Saudi Ground Services, catering services through Catrion, and establishing and operating fully equipped medical clinics at the holy sites through Medical Fakeeh.
Amer bin Saleh Al-Khashil, CEO of Saudia Hajj and Umrah, explained that the features of the 1447 AH Hajj season plan were built on last year's success, which aimed to create a new concept and a qualitative leap in providing Hajj services through major investments in sites at the holy places.
He stressed that innovation is a key pillar of the plan, noting that the Arafat site will see the construction of a developed two-storey camp, achieving the goal of making the most of the space to serve more pilgrims at a luxury level.
He added that an integrated operations center will be introduced linking pilgrim data with the competent authorities at every stage of the journey, helping to raise the efficiency of coordination, speed up response and improve decision-making.
Saudia Group's services begin before travel, by providing support and facilitation and dealing with potential challenges, from departure halls to receiving pilgrims at air ports of entry and facilitating their entry procedures.
Services also include providing bookings for visits to Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah, organizing Tawaf bookings at the Grand Mosque, providing escorts inside the Grand Mosque, as well as coordinating with the relevant authorities to provide special care for the elderly and offering multiple options for performing Tawaf, such as golf carts or carts with escorts.
The group is also developing solutions based on the latest digital technologies to help pilgrims set their priorities, organize their schedules and manage their movements, reducing the mental effort on pilgrims and enabling them to focus on performing their rituals with ease and tranquility.
In Mina, the plan includes moving from managing one tower to operating and managing 3 integrated towers, helping to raise capacity and improve the distribution of pilgrims, with a design inspired by First Class cabins on Saudia aircraft to enhance privacy and comfort for the Guests of God.
At Arafat, the site's design emulates Saudia's lounges, reflecting the identity of Saudi hospitality in terms of comfort, as well as providing integrated dining halls and round-the-clock pilgrim care services.
To view the post on Saudia's LinkedIn account, click here.
