HRH Prince Khaled Al-Faisal sponsors the launch of the “Hajj Expo”
HRH Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Al-Mukarramah Region, will sponsor the launch of “Hajj Expo” “Tomorrow 2023” in Jeddah in order to achieve the objectives of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 programs.
Its activities will also revolve around 3 main axes, which include setting quality standards and improving services for pilgrims. These axes are competitiveness by raising performance and operation efficiency, sustainability by ensuring continuity, and sustainable development.
On its third day, the Hajj Expo will discuss the role of Hajj companies in serving the guests of Rahman. This will be done by reviewing successful experiences within the framework of developing Hajj services and highlighting the most relevant services that are provided to pilgrims from different countries.
Eng. Ahmed bin Yusef Bushnaq, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Mutawfi of Pilgrims of Europe, America, Australia, and Turkey, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mutawfi of Pilgrims of Southeast Asia Adnan bin Hassan Mandora, Chairman of the Board of Mutawfi of Pilgrims of Arab Countries Maher bin Saleh Jamal, and Vice President of Zamzamah Company Sultan bin Jamal Shawli.
It will also review the successful experiences of companies in developing services provided to pilgrims through another session within the axis of continuity. This will enable it to achieve sustainable development on the fourth day.
Hajj and Umrah tour operator Mawasim, part of Almosafer – Seera Group’s travel platform, unveiled the new trends in Umrah travel at the 2023 Conference & Exhibition for Hajj and Umrah Services (Hajj Expo).
Hajj Expo, organised by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is the largest conference and exhibition for Hajj and Umrah services.
In a Tuesday press statement, Mawasim forecast exceptional growth for the coming year, with pilgrim arrivals from focus markets including Egypt, Algeria, India, Turkey, Malaysia, Iraq and Jordan, in addition to Indonesia and Pakistan.
The company said that it recorded strong growth in Umrah bookings, with its new offices in Indonesia and Pakistan driving significant growth in pilgrim arrivals. The two countries are also the top international markets for Umrah bookings for Mawasim in 2022.
According to the press statement, Mawasim said that it reported strong growth in the last two quarters of 2022, despite the late start of Umrah, welcoming nearly 31,000 pilgrims from 43 countries and working with over 214 agents.
Pilgrims accounted for a total of 81,730 room nights across 114 hotels with the largest number of bookings coming from Pakistan, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Singapore, and Egypt.
With travel restrictions limiting Umrah arrivals from inbound markets during the pandemic, pilgrims have returned to make the most of their spiritual trips to Makkah and Madinah with group trips averaging 8 days and 40 passengers per booking.
Moreover, the company indicated that the increase in Umrah travel follows recent reforms in Saudi Arabia permitting visitors to perform Umrah on any visa, in addition to general visa policies that have eased access to the Kingdom with residents of the GCC now able to obtain a permit on arrival.
