The sixth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition 2026 hosted a ministerial session in Jeddah on Monday devoted to the national system serving pilgrims, during which officials disclosed updated figures on arrivals, accommodation and aviation capacity for the 1448 Hajj season.
Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said the Pilgrim Experience Program, launched in 2019 under Saudi Vision 2030, has reshaped the management of the pilgrim journey from arrival at the Two Holy Mosques through service quality to enriching the religious and cultural experience. He reported that overseas Umrah performers grew from 8.4 million in 2022 to 18 million in 2025, while visitors to the Rawdah Al-Sharifah rose from 6 million to about 16 million over the same period, adding that the Hajj Projects Management Office coordinates some 600 operational plans a year among participating entities.
Al-Rabiah noted that pilgrim satisfaction climbed from 74 percent to 93 percent within five years, exceeding the 90 percent target. Minister of Tourism Ahmed Al-Khatib said licensing of buildings designated to receive next season's pilgrims has been completed, with more than 1.3 million beds provided across roughly 400,000 rooms in 4,000 buildings in Makkah and Madinah, alongside about 560,000 beds in temporary pilgrim housing, 30,000 inspection tours last season and training for over 45,000 employees.
Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, said King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah received 52 million passengers in 2025, with Terminal 4 operating at a capacity exceeding 15 million passengers and the Hajj Terminal developed to handle up to 16 million. He added that the expansion of Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz Airport in Madinah will lift capacity from 8 million to 18 million passengers, with completion expected in October 2027, and that the "Traveller Without Baggage" initiative has served about 4.5 million pilgrims and handled some 6.7 million bags since its launch four years ago.
Director of Public Security Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Bassami said the Hajj system has moved from coordination among agencies to integration in plans and operations, with more than 900 potential risks identified and proactive scenarios and field exercises prepared in advance. Makkah Mayor Musad Al-Daoud said no food poisoning cases were recorded last Hajj season, announcing an electronic platform linking food suppliers and catering companies, and noting that Makkah's population rises from about 2.5 million to 5 million during peak periods.
ويأتي هذا النقاش ضمن أعمال مؤتمر ومعرض الحج 2026 الذي تستضيفه جدة بمشاركة 520 جهة من 150 دولة، وتتوزع جلساته على قطاعات الحج والسياحة والطيران والأمن والخدمات البلدية؛ لرفع جاهزية موسم حج 1448.