Government Agencies Showcase Innovations in Pilgrim Services at Main Session of “Umrah and Visit Forum”

Five government entities discussed the future vision for enhancing the experience of visitors, pilgrims, and Umrah performers during the main session of the Umrah and Visit Forum yesterday. The session focused on building the future of sacred sites and pilgrimage services as part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 programs. The discussion highlighted the significant progress made in the integrated governmental efforts to achieve the targets related to serving the guests of Allah.

The session, attended by key officials including the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Abdul Fattah Mishat, reviewed the digital infrastructure of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, emphasizing its crucial role in adapting modern technologies to serve the guests of Allah. This includes enhancing the non-traditional infrastructure through applications and programs that contribute to hosting more guests and increasing their satisfaction with the provided services.

The efforts to improve the quality of life in Medina to make it a smart and human-friendly city were also discussed. Initiatives and projects aimed at achieving the goals of the Guest of Allah Service Program were highlighted. These initiatives included the issuance of a guidebook showcasing the latest practices, initiatives, and experiences in the field of serving the guests of Allah in Medina. The guidebook includes electronic applications like the “Spirit of the City,” providing explanations of heritage sites and enriching experiences.

The session also applauded the positive transformation in serving Umrah performers and visitors, offering an exceptional experience to accommodate a large number of visitors throughout the year. The collaborative efforts between various entities and the use of data to balance service capacities with the number of beneficiaries were crucial in achieving this goal.

The Guest of Allah Service Program, in cooperation with 40 government agencies, is working to build initiatives and achieve the program’s objectives. Progress towards some of the program’s targets, planned to be achieved by the end of 2025, is on track to be realized by 2024.

The second edition of the forum, currently taking place at the King Salman Center for Exhibitions and Conferences in Medina, will conclude today with working sessions on “The Future of Smart Cities and Digital Services for Pilgrims,” “Visitor and Umrah Performers’ Services,” “The Role of Media in Shaping Narratives About Hajj,” and workshops discussing enhancing awareness among English-speaking Umrah performers, quality standards for innovative enriching experiences for the guests of Allah, data management from Umrah to memory-making, evaluating service effectiveness strategies, historical sites and destination development, and the quality of accommodation services sector.

In conclusion, the session emphasized the commitment of government entities to continuously improve and innovate in serving the guests of Allah, ensuring a positive and fulfilling experience for visitors, pilgrims, and Umrah performers. The collaborative efforts and utilization of modern technologies are key in achieving the goals set forth in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 programs for developing and enriching the pilgrimage experience.