On behalf of Sherif Fathy, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Samia Sami, Assistant Minister for Tourism Companies Affairs and Head of the Supreme Committee for Hajj and Umrah, participated in the sixth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition, held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
The event was inaugurated by Prince Saud bin Mishaal bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah Region, in the presence of Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah. The conference and exhibition runs from November 8 to 11.
The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities is participating through the Egyptian pavilion, which is being set up at the exhibition for the first time. The pavilion represents the Office of Egyptian Hajj Affairs and brings together the three Egyptian government entities responsible for organizing Hajj: the Ministries of Tourism and Antiquities, Interior, and Social Solidarity.
The pavilion was allocated to the Office of Egyptian Hajj Affairs as part of the exhibition’s dedicated spaces for entities that won the “Labaytum” Award for Excellence in Serving the Guests of Allah, presented by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. The Egyptian office won the award’s Silver Shield for the 1447 AH Hajj season in the category of Hajj Affairs Offices.
The Egyptian pavilion aims to highlight the role of the three entities in organizing and overseeing the Hajj season and providing services to Egyptian pilgrims. It also seeks to strengthen communication with relevant Saudi authorities and service providers, and discuss arrangements and preparations for the 1448 AH Hajj season.
On the sidelines of her participation, Samia Sami toured several exhibition pavilions representing Hajj affairs offices from various countries. She reviewed the latest services and solutions offered by organizations and companies operating in the Hajj sector, as well as the digital applications used to monitor services provided to pilgrims.
The Egyptian pavilion features audiovisual and informational materials showcasing Egypt’s experience in organizing Hajj trips, the efforts of the three entities involved, and their respective roles in overseeing the Hajj system and providing services to Egyptian pilgrims. It also includes an information desk where visitors can learn about Egypt’s Hajj organization system, coordination mechanisms among the three entities, and the key services available to pilgrims.
The pavilion attracted a large number of exhibition visitors, who received a selection of souvenirs, including papyrus samples.
The event is also attended by representatives of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities’ Central Administration for Tourism Companies, alongside several Egyptian tourism companies specializing in organizing Hajj and Umrah trips. The program includes panel discussions and workshops addressing preparations for the upcoming Hajj season and ways to develop services provided to the Guests of Allah, particularly transportation, accommodation, and catering, as well as the use of digital technologies to manage and improve these services.
The conference and exhibition are organized by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in cooperation with the Pilgrim Experience Program under the theme “From Makkah to the World.” The event brings together a wide range of public- and private-sector entities and companies operating in the Hajj sector, including hotels, airlines, tourism companies, and accommodation and catering service providers.
