Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has opened the fourth edition of the Umrah and Visit Forum in Jeddah, bringing together more than 200 companies and sector partners to shape services for the kingdom's growing number of pilgrims. The event was held under the patronage of Prince Salman bin Sultan, Emir of the Madinah region, and opened by Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah.

A Growing Global Platform

According to The Islamic Information, the forum has expanded rapidly since its launch. Registrations rose 157 percent between 2024 and 2026, and the fourth edition targeted more than 200 participating companies. The previous edition hosted 138 companies, drew around 49,000 registrations, used 11,000 square meters of exhibition space, and produced more than 5,000 signed agreements.

The ministry describes the forum as a platform where Umrah companies, service providers and partners build partnerships and develop practical solutions for pilgrims and visitors. The event features dialogue sessions, workshops and an exhibition floor where operators showcase transport, accommodation and hospitality offerings.

New Excellence Award and Service Tracks

A notable addition this year is the Excellence Award in Services, introduced to recognize quality across the pilgrim journey. The award spans five tracks: Transport and Aviation, Hotel Services, Enriching Destinations, Gifts, and Catering. The structure reflects the ministry's push to raise standards in every part of the experience, from a pilgrim's arrival at the airport to their stay near the holy sites.

Organizers say the award is designed to reward companies that deliver measurable improvements in service rather than simply expanding capacity. Officials have framed it as a way to encourage competition on quality among the thousands of firms now serving the Umrah sector.

Part of Vision 2030 Religious Tourism Goals

The forum is tied to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 ambition to welcome far larger numbers of Umrah performers and visitors each year while improving the quality of their stay. The kingdom has steadily digitized the sector through the Nusuk and Nusuk Masar platforms, which handle visas, bookings and company contracting online.

The ministry has repeatedly linked service forums like this one to its broader goal of positioning the Umrah sector as a year-round pillar of religious tourism, not only a seasonal operation around Hajj. The scale of this year's event, with participation measured in the hundreds of companies, underlines how large the supporting industry has become.

For operators and pilgrims following the sector, a few takeaways stand out:

  • Operators should engage early. Firms seeking partnerships or recognition can register for future editions and compete across the five service tracks.
  • Pilgrims should book through licensed companies. Use the Nusuk platform to verify that a provider is authorized before paying.
  • Expect rising standards. The new award signals that transport, hotels and catering quality will be a growing focus in coming seasons.
  • Watch for digital updates. New services are increasingly rolled out through Nusuk rather than through agents alone.