# Saudi Arabia Enhances Hajj Services Through Digital Transformation and Strategic Planning King Salman emphasizes prioritizing pilgrim services as Saudi Arabia integrates technology and infrastructure for Hajj. - **Source:** [Okaz](https://www.okaz.com.sa) - **Published:** 2026-11-09 - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/f3754833-fefd-466b-8667-9c6bbbbefd41 ## Prioritizing Pilgrim Experience King Salman bin Abdulaziz reaffirmed that serving pilgrims remains the Kingdom's top priority. The government is actively upgrading the Hajj ecosystem by integrating advanced technologies and fostering seamless coordination between state agencies. This strategic focus aims to facilitate a smooth journey for pilgrims from their home countries until their safe return. ## Global Service Expansion Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah reported significant growth in service accessibility. The Kingdom has expanded direct contracting to 58 countries and enabled Hajj access for 75 additional nations. Furthermore, the 'Nusuk' digital platform has reached over 70 million users, reflecting a successful digital transformation in managing pilgrim logistics. ## High Satisfaction Metrics The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah achieved a 93% pilgrim satisfaction rate during the 1447 AH season, exceeding the initial 90% target. This success resulted from the integration of over 60 government entities and the rigorous evaluation of 600 operational plans, ensuring that services meet the high expectations of international visitors. ## Housing Quality Standards Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb announced that 400 buildings were removed from service for failing to meet safety and quality standards. The ministry now oversees 400,000 rooms and 560,000 temporary beds. Authorities conducted 30,000 inspections across 4,000 buildings to ensure compliance and trained 45,000 staff members to provide superior hospitality services. ## Aviation Infrastructure Growth General Authority of Civil Aviation head Abdulaziz Al-Duailej highlighted record-breaking performance at Jeddah Airport, which handled 52 million passengers last year. Expansion projects include upgrading Madinah Airport to accommodate 18 million passengers by October 2027. Smart gates and automated systems now allow passport processing in less than one minute for pilgrims. ## Integrated Security Framework Public Security Director Lieutenant General Mohammed Al-Bassami detailed a robust security approach involving 55 agencies. The framework includes 600 operational plans and 155 performance indicators. Authorities identified over 900 potential risks, conducting field exercises and simulations to ensure readiness for any contingencies that might arise during the complex Hajj pilgrimage environment. ## Food Safety Milestones Makkah Mayor Mosaed Al-Dawood reported zero food poisoning cases among 1.7 million pilgrims during the previous season. The municipality launched an electronic platform to centralize food suppliers and enhance monitoring. This initiative aims to maintain strict food safety standards and unify food offerings across all service providers in the holy city. ## Future Strategic Outlook The ongoing sixth edition of the Hajj Conference serves as a global platform for building partnerships and finalizing contracts. With over 150 countries participating, the event focuses on long-term infrastructure development. Saudi Arabia continues to refine its national system, aiming to sustain high satisfaction levels while scaling capacity for future seasons. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.okaz.com.sa/local/na/2274803 — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._