Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Pilgrim Experience Program announced that the number of arrivals to the Kingdom on Umrah visas has risen to 931,500 pilgrims from the start of the season on 15 Dhu al-Hijjah to the end of Muharram 1448 AH, a growth of 22.5% compared with the same period last year.
The total number of pilgrims arriving from outside the Kingdom during the same period exceeded 1.27 million. This figure covers all arrivals performing Umrah, while the first figure is limited to arrivals on Umrah visas, with the statement not specifying the other types of visas included in the total, according to a post on the Saudi Press Agency website.
Pakistan tops pilgrim numbers
The ministry said 75% of pilgrims from abroad arrived in the Kingdom through air ports of entry, while 25% came through land and sea ports. Pakistan ranked first in the number of arriving pilgrims with 200,000, followed by Indonesia with 170,000 and Iraq with 130,000.
The ministry affirmed that it continues to develop digital and operational services, make them easier to access and raise performance efficiency, covering every stage of the pilgrim's journey from planning to leaving the Kingdom.
To view the post on the Saudi Press Agency website, click here.
