The Umrah and Ziyarah Forum, held at the King Salman International Convention Center in Madinah, concluded on Friday, marking a pivotal moment in enhancing the pilgrimage experience.
Over the course of three days, participants engaged in discussions aimed at fostering collaborations and improving services for pilgrims. Organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in collaboration with the Pilgrim Experience Program, the forum featured six discussion sessions and 24 workshops led by 29 experts.
Topics ranged from enhancing services for pilgrims to advancements in air travel, financial systems, and development opportunities in housing and hospitality services.
Among the key discussions was the focus on air travel services, addressing the growing number of flights and the need for comprehensive services throughout pilgrims’ journeys. Plans for the expansion of Madinah Airport were highlighted to accommodate the increasing influx of pilgrims and visitors.
Financial services in the Umrah and ziyarah sector were also examined, exploring international money transfers, digital solutions for transactions, and financial procedure developments.
Speakers emphasized transparency and compliance in housing and hospitality services, underlining the importance of service providers adhering to contractual terms. The event’s final day featured panel discussions on the role of technology in addressing guest service challenges and on carefully developing historical sites to enrich the spiritual experiences of visitors to Makkah and Madinah.
