Makkah deputy governor opens sixth Hajj Expo in Jeddah under king’s patronage

JEDDAH — The Hajj Conference and Exhibition, now in its sixth edition, kicked off on Sunday at the Jeddah Superdome, uniting over 520 entities from government, private and non-profit sectors. Organized by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in collaboration with the Pilgrim Experience Program, a Saudi Vision 2030 initiative, the four-day event, themed "From Makkah to the World," underscores Saudi Arabia's dedication to serving pilgrims.

With participation from more than 150 countries across 67,000 square meters, the exhibition spans 15 zones and programs covering operations, knowledge exchange, technology, business, innovation, awareness, and training.

The conference marks an early stage in preparations for the 2027 Hajj season, gathering Hajj affairs offices, service providers, and authorities to finalize procedures, contracts, and arrangements. The conference program, segmented into three main tracks—infrastructure and operational services, empowerment and integration, and development and sustainability—highlights services and solutions for various aspects of the pilgrim journey, including transportation, accommodation, catering, healthcare, and technology.

These solutions, which begin months before the pilgrims' arrival, showcase the meticulous planning that goes into ensuring a seamless experience.

The event serves as a platform for entities to understand each other's requirements and explore potential collaborations. The business center facilitates professional meetings, contract finalization, and agreement signing. The innovation and technology sections bring together innovators and service providers to address challenges encountered during the pilgrimage, offering opportunities for technological advancements.

The Innovation Zone, a hackathon, and the Technology Oasis facilitate direct engagement between innovators and service providers, enabling the testing of ideas in real-world scenarios and the development of technologies and digital solutions to enhance the pilgrim journey.