Saudi Gazette report

MADINAH — Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah highlighted the significant visitor numbers during his speech at the opening of the first Umrah and Ziyarah Forum, revealing that over the past two years more than 19 million people have visited Al-Rawda Al-Sharif.

The forum, which aims to enrich the experience of religious tourists, was inaugurated under the auspices of Madinah Emir Prince Salman bin Sultan at King Salman International Convention Center on Monday.

Organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and the Pilgrim Experience Program, the three-day event features six dialogue sessions, 24 workshops with 29 experts, and competitions that include an Artificial Intelligence competition on Umrah and a hackathon on historical sites related to the Prophet’s life.

Al-Rabiah noted that the Pilgrim Experience Program is one of the major components of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

"The Two Holy Mosques are expected to witness the influx of millions of worshippers and visitors, the largest gathering in one place, which needs to be managed by security personnel from the Ministry of Interior and from the General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque in a complex situation."

Al-Rabiah highlighted that one of the main goals of the Pilgrim Experience Program is to enrich the visitors’ experience. The forum, he said, is a comprehensive platform where some 180 speakers from the Kingdom and abroad will discuss the ways to further improve this experience.

In his inaugural address, Prince Salman bin Sultan emphasized the enhanced services during the reign of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He noted the forum's role in fostering dialogue and producing actionable recommendations for improving services for the guests of God from their arrival until their departure from the Kingdom.

The forum also serves as a comprehensive platform for 180 speakers from within the Kingdom and abroad to discuss further improvements to the pilgrim experience. It includes an exhibition with over 100 pavilions showcasing services from various sectors such as tourism, healthcare, technology, and more.

The opening ceremony concluded with the signing of several agreements aimed at enhancing the Umrah and visit sectors.