Saudi Arabia’s Pilgrim Experience Program Reports Record Growth in 2024, Reinforces Vision 2030 Goals

Riyadh, The Gulf Observer: The Pilgrim Experience Program, a flagship initiative under the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, has released its 2024 annual report, revealing a remarkable 101 percent increase in the number of international arrivals compared with 2022. This significant achievement reflects the successful integration of cross-sector efforts and streamlined procedures designed to facilitate pilgrimages to the Holy Sites.

According to the report, over 18.5 million pilgrims and Umrah performers arrived from abroad in 2024, including 16.92 million Umrah performers, surpassing the targets set for the year. These results underline the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing the Hajj and Umrah experience through strategic coordination and innovation.

The report documented the implementation of 89 key initiatives, developed in collaboration with over 40 government entities, achieving a 95 percent compliance rate. These initiatives encompassed every phase of the pilgrim journey — from transportation and rituals to visits to historical and religious landmarks — ensuring a seamless and spiritually enriching experience.

Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, Minister of Hajj and Umrah and Chairman of the Pilgrim Experience Program Committee, emphasized that these accomplishments are a direct result of the Kingdom’s leadership prioritizing the service of Hajj and Umrah pilgrims as a central pillar of Vision 2030.

One of the report’s key highlights is the dramatic rise in visits to Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah, which hosted more than 13 million visitors in 2024, up from 4 million in 2022. Visitor satisfaction also significantly improved, increasing from 57 percent to 81 percent, reflecting the program’s success in delivering high-quality services.

Volunteer participation saw a tenfold increase, with over 153,000 volunteers contributing to the service of pilgrims in 2024, compared to 15,000 in 2022, demonstrating a growing culture of community engagement and social responsibility.

Internationally, the program undertook 33 overseas visits with public and private sector partners to address logistical challenges, expand route networks, and enhance travel capacity. These efforts facilitated easier and more efficient pilgrim access from across the globe.

The report also celebrated the continued success of the Makkah Route Initiative, which streamlines travel procedures for pilgrims at their point of origin. To date, the initiative has benefited over 940,000 travelers, reinforcing the Kingdom’s focus on delivering convenience and ease throughout the pilgrimage journey.

Advances in digital services were also featured prominently, particularly the Nusuk platform, which now offers more than 100 digital services to assist with booking, travel, and pilgrimage planning — making the journey more accessible and efficient.

On the global stage, Makkah ranked fifth in international visitor numbers, while Madinah rose to seventh place on the Global Tourism Performance Index, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s growing stature as a premier spiritual and cultural destination.

The report concluded by attributing these historic achievements to the unwavering support of the Kingdom’s leadership and the collective efforts of more than 40 participating organizations. It reaffirmed that the service of pilgrims remains a top national priority, with continuous innovation, integration, and expansion planned to further enhance the religious and cultural journey of millions of visitors in line with the transformative goals of Vision 2030.