Umrah and Ziyarah Forum Concludes with the Signing of More Than 3,000 Agreements
منتدى العمرة والزيارة يختتم أعماله بتوقيع أكثر من 3 آلاف اتفاقية
The inaugural Umrah and Ziyarah Forum, held in collaboration with the Pilgrim Experience Program, concluded after three days of insightful discussions and fruitful engagements. Led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, the Governor of Al-Madinah, the forum gathered esteemed dignitaries, decision-makers, and representatives from Umrah agencies worldwide at the King Salman bin Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Al-Madinah. Dr. Abdulfattah bin Suleiman Al Mashat, the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, proudly announced the forum's remarkable success, with over 18,000 attendees from diverse sectors. He emphasized the power of collaboration, revealing that more than 3,000 agreements were signed between domestic Umrah companies and international travel agencies, surpassing the initial target by an impressive 108%. The event featured a comprehensive agenda comprising six main sessions, 25 workshops, and 18 focus groups, addressing six main themes and 18 subtopics. With contributions from 180 speakers, experts, and specialists, discussions centered on enhancing services for pilgrims and visitors, resulting in valuable recommendations and insights. The accompanying exhibition was a testament to the industry's innovation and commitment. It provided a platform for government entities, service providers, and startups to showcase over 1,600 initiatives, all aligned with the Ministry's vision and the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. This collective effort reflects a hopeful future, addressing the evolving needs of pilgrims and visitors to the Holy sites. The forum also celebrated innovation through competitions such as the "Historical and Cultural Sites Hackathon" and the Artificial Intelligence in Umrah competition, recognizing winners for their contributions to preserving heritage and enhancing the pilgrimage experience. The "Documenting the Prophet's Biography and Enriching the Experience of Pilgrims and Visitors" session shed light on initiatives like the Prophet's Biography Atlas, leveraging technology to provide comprehensive information and enrich the visitor experience. In the closing session, key discussions, outcomes, and accomplishments were summarized, paving the way for continued collaboration and innovation in enhancing the pilgrimage experience for visitors to the Kingdom.