Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has activated a dedicated operations room to address challenges and provide services to pilgrims arriving from outside the Kingdom. Working with the General Authority of Civil Aviation and other relevant authorities, the initiative aims to ensure pilgrims’ comfort and safety and enable them to perform their rituals smoothly and securely amid developments in the region.
Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah announced the initiative at the opening of the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum at the King Salman International Convention Center in Madinah. According to the Saudi Press Agency, he stressed the ministry’s and partner agencies’ high level of readiness to respond to emerging developments and maintain services for pilgrims.
Al-Rabiah said 18 million pilgrims arrived from abroad to perform Umrah in 2025, an increase of more than 214% compared with 2022. He highlighted the support and empowerment provided by the Kingdom’s leadership to the Umrah and visitation sector, alongside continuing efforts to serve visitors to the Two Holy Mosques.
He noted that pilgrim satisfaction reached 94% in 2025. Capacity for visits to Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah also doubled, with more than 15.6 million visitors last year. The number of historical and cultural enrichment sites and destinations developed rose to 87.
He described the third edition of the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum as a platform bringing partners together to exchange expertise, explore opportunities and build partnerships. Its accompanying exhibition features more than 150 exhibitors and support from over 50 partners and sponsors. The programme also includes more than 50 workshops and specialist sessions, as well as the signing of over 5,000 agreements and memoranda of understanding to promote innovation and improve Umrah and visitation services.
To read the Saudi Press Agency report, click here.
