Umrah and Ziyarah Forum

Umrah and Ziyarah Forum, organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in partnership with the Pilgrim Experience Program in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, aims to enhance the service provided to Umrah performers and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques. The first edition was launched in 2024 at the King Salman International Convention Centre in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah.

Objectives of the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum 

The Umrah and Ziyarah Forum aims to strengthen dialogue on enriching the Umrah and Ziyarah journey experience and improving it, in addition to developing investment opportunities in the sector, developing the services and products provided to the Umrah performer and visitor, stimulating partnerships and building sustainable relationships among establishments operating in the Umrah and Ziyarah sector, as well as expanding the provision of integrated solutions for the Umrah performer and visitor.

Umrah and Ziyarah Forum 2024

The first edition of the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum was held from 22–24 April 2024,  and included six panel sessions and twenty-four workshops covering six main themes, in addition to eighteen sub-topics, with twenty-nine speakers from experts and specialists taking part. It also included a number of events and competitive competitions, including the Umrah AI Competition, the “Labbaytum” Award, a digital solutions development event, and the Historical and Enrichment Sites Hackathon linked to the Prophetic biography.

It also included an accompanying exhibition showcasing modern services and innovative, sustainable solutions that ensure continuous development. The forum also discussed challenges, opportunities, and emerging trends in the sector, and presented insights and recommendations to improve the experience of Umrah performers and visitors and facilitate hosting those heading to the Two Holy Mosques.

Participants in the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum 2024

Many entities, companies, and institutions related to the Umrah and Ziyarah sector participated in the forum, such as: government entities; Umrah companies and agencies; hotels and accommodation; transport and logistics services; healthcare; technology, communications and artificial intelligence; construction and development; tourism and travel agents; consumer goods; banks and insurance companies; catering and hospitality services. The forum also targeted the participation of entrepreneurs and innovators, heads of service-provider companies, experts, professionals and decision-makers, those working in the Umrah ecosystem, non-profit organizations, representatives of local and international Umrah service companies, and local and international media institutions.

Outcomes of the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum 2024

The Umrah and Ziyarah Forum works to highlight the efforts and projects presented by Saudi Arabia to serve Umrah performers and visitors, and to enrich and improve the visit experience from across the world. It also reviews administrative and operational practices, and works to find development solutions that contribute to sustaining higher levels of service quality as the numbers of Umrah performers and visitors grow, by offering innovative products and exploring promising opportunities in the sector, alongside launching many new initiatives and facilitations.

Umrah and Ziyarah Forum 2025

The second edition of the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum 2025 was held from 14–16 April 2025 at the King Salman International Convention Centre in Madinah, with the participation of 150 exhibitors from various government entities, service-provider companies, and non-profit sector organizations from one hundred countries. One hundred local and international speakers also took part in panel sessions, business workshops, and varied enrichment activities, and the latest technologies and innovative solutions were showcased across many sectors related to the journey of Umrah performers and visitors.

Outcomes of the Umrah and Ziyarah Forum 2025

The forum signed 4,251 cooperation agreements and held fifty workshops that discussed technologies and innovative solutions in sectors related to the journey of Umrah performers and visitors, addressing issues including smart transport, integration of hospitality and aviation services, and the quality of healthcare. twenty field visits were carried out for participating delegations to view historical and enrichment sites in Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah. 150 local and international teams from twenty countries competed in the Sustainable Solutions Challenge, and one hundred entrepreneurial projects and distinctive innovations took part in the Historical Sites Hackathon organized in partnership with Umm Al-Qura University.