Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah opened the sixth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah, drawing more than 520 organisations from over 150 countries. The ministry confirmed the scale of participation at a press briefing on November 7, 2026, one day before the event began. The conference runs from November 8 to November 11 and is held under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
According to the ministry, the gathering has grown into a leading international platform for the pilgrimage sector. Public bodies, private companies, and non-profit groups are taking part. Officials said the aim is to turn ideas and partnerships into measurable improvements for pilgrims.
A Larger Exhibition and a New Training Focus
The exhibition floor covers more than 67,000 square metres this year. It features over 15 major zones and programmes spanning technology, logistics, hospitality, and health services. The ministry spokesman, Dr Ghasan bin Rashed Al-Nowaimi, shared the figures with reporters ahead of the opening.
A new Awareness and Training Forum has been introduced for this edition. It carries the theme "From Awareness to Empowerment." The forum reflects a wider shift in Saudi planning toward educating service providers and pilgrims rather than only managing crowds on the ground.
The ministry stressed that the event should be judged by its results. In its statement, it said "the value of the conference should not be measured only by the scale of participation or activities," but by the lasting impact it delivers beyond the four days in Jeddah.
Specialised Workshops for Service Providers
Alongside the exhibition, the ministry is running a series of specialised workshops. The sessions are organised with the Pilgrim Experience Program, an initiative under Saudi Vision 2030. The ministry announced the workshop plans in a statement on November 4, ahead of the opening.
The workshops are built around three main tracks. The first covers infrastructure and operational services, including transportation and logistics, facilities management, accommodation and hospitality, and technology and innovation. The second focuses on empowerment and integration, covering security and safety, healthcare, media and communications, and catering and nutrition. The third addresses development and sustainability, including civil society organisations, entrepreneurship, and professional training.
The ministry said the sessions bring together experts, researchers, entrepreneurs, and innovators. The goal is to strengthen staff skills and develop practical solutions that can be applied during future Hajj seasons. Organisations and specialists can register to attend through the ministry's conference website, hajjconfex.com.
Part of Early Hajj 1448 Preparations
The conference forms part of Saudi Arabia's early groundwork for the 1448 AH Hajj season, which corresponds to 2027. The kingdom began formal planning for the next season well in advance, with dozens of countries already involved in coordination talks. The Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, has overseen a steady push to professionalise the sector.
The emphasis on technology, healthcare, and logistics aligns with recent moves by the kingdom. These include tighter health screening for pilgrims and the expansion of digital services through the Nusuk platform. Taken together, the measures point to a season planned around safety, capacity, and service quality.
What Pilgrims and Operators Should Know
For pilgrims planning Hajj or Umrah, the conference signals continued change in how services are delivered. Those intending to travel should expect a greater reliance on official digital platforms for bookings and permits. Early planning remains the safest approach given the kingdom's preference for advance registration.
Practical steps are worth noting. Pilgrims should keep their documents current and follow announcements from their national Hajj authorities and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. Travellers should also review health guidance early, since medical requirements have tightened in recent seasons. Hajj and Umrah operators can register for the Jeddah workshops to stay aligned with the latest service standards. Checking official sources before booking helps avoid unlicensed agents and last-minute complications.