Wednesday, August 14, 2024 In a significant move aligned with Saudi Arabia ‘s Vision 2030, the Doyof Al-Rahman Program has set an ambitious target of hosting 15 million Umrah pilgrims by the year 2025. This initiative, detailed in the program’s 2023 annual report, underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing the pilgrimage experience through infrastructure development, digitalization, and service excellence in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah. The program’s strategic focus is on expanding and modernizing infrastructure within these cities, aiming to create a seamless and spiritually enriching journey for millions of pilgrims.
By 2030, the Doyof Al-Rahman Program plans to renovate and develop 40 Islamic and cultural sites across Makkah and Madinah, transforming the Kingdom into a gateway to rich cultural and spiritual experiences. Saudi Arabia’s efforts are directed at meeting the growing needs of pilgrims visiting the Holy Kaaba, with a future vision to serve 30 million pilgrims by 2030. The program plans to achieve this by introducing easy and facilitated procedures for Umrah, coupled with effective and innovative solutions to accommodate the increasing numbers.
The goal is to ensure that pilgrims experience a smooth and seamless journey throughout their pilgrimage, leveraging the latest technologies to make this vision a reality. The program has also set a target of achieving an 85% satisfaction rate for services provided to pilgrims by 2025, with a further aim of reaching 90% by 2030. This will be accomplished by offering world-class services that ensure a comfortable and enriching travel experience.
The focus on service quality highlights Saudi Arabia’s dedication to improving the pilgrimage experience through continuous innovation. The Doyof Al-Rahman Program’s initiatives will have far-reaching effects on the global travel industry, particularly for travelers from countries with significant Muslim populations. For instance, Turkiye has witnessed the highest growth rate in the number of pilgrims, recording a 312% increase, while Pakistan, with over two million pilgrims, remains the leading source of pilgrims.
Other countries like Egypt and Indonesia also contribute large numbers, with 1,762,825 and 1,466,369 pilgrims respectively. These statistics reflect the global demand for Umrah and the importance of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to accommodate this growing interest. As the infrastructure and services in Makkah and Madinah continue to improve, the Kingdom is likely to see even higher numbers of pilgrims from around the world, further cementing its role as a central hub for Islamic pilgrimage.
The Doyof Al-Rahman Program is a key component of the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative, reflecting a collaborative effort involving 70 entities across the public, private, and non-profit sectors. This integration is crucial to achieving the program’s three strategic goals: facilitating the hosting of more pilgrims, enhancing access to the Two Holy Mosques, and providing high-quality services for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims. By enriching the religious and cultural experiences of pilgrims, the program aims to not only fulfill the spiritual needs of visitors but also ensure the sustainability of the sector.
This holistic approach to pilgrimage management is expected to set new standards in religious tourism, influencing global practices and encouraging other countries to invest in similar initiatives. The strategic goals of the Doyof Al-Rahman Program include: By focusing on these objectives, the program seeks to enrich the religious and cultural experiences of pilgrims while ensuring that all aspects of their journey are supported by the latest advancements in technology and infrastructure. As the Doyof Al-Rahman Program progresses, the global travel industry will likely witness significant shifts, particularly in the way religious tourism is managed and promoted.
The program’s success could lead to an increase in the number of pilgrims visiting Saudi Arabia, thereby boosting the Kingdom’s position as a leading destination for Islamic pilgrimage. Moreover, the development of Islamic and cultural sites in Makkah and Madinah will attract not only pilgrims but also tourists interested in the rich heritage of these regions..
