Saudi Arabia’s Pilgrim Experience Programme (PEP) recorded major gains in improving services for pilgrims and visitors in 2025, with more than 19.5 million pilgrims and Umrah performers arriving from abroad, according to its latest annual report released under the theme “Honour and Impact.”
The programme implemented 87 initiatives in partnership with more than 60 entities during the year, achieving a 100 per cent implementation compliance rate as part of the Kingdom’s efforts under Saudi Vision 2030 to enhance service quality and enrich the pilgrim experience, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
More than 19.5 million pilgrims and Umrah performers from abroad arrived in Saudi Arabia in 2025, including 18.03 million Umrah performers and 1.5 million Haj pilgrims, the report said.
The number of Umrah performers increased by 114 per cent compared with 2022, reflecting the ecosystem’s readiness and the efficiency of the services provided.
Despite continued growth in visitor numbers, pilgrim satisfaction remained high. Haj pilgrim satisfaction reached 91 per cent, while Umrah performer satisfaction reached 94 per cent, exceeding the Saudi Vision 2030 targets for both indicators.
In addition, Al-Rawdah Al-Sharifah welcomed more than 16 million visitors in 2025, while visitor satisfaction rose to 88 per cent from 57 per cent in 2022. These results demonstrate the impact of efforts to improve services and facilitate the performance of rituals in accordance with the highest standards of quality and efficiency.
As part of efforts to enrich the religious and cultural experience, the report stated that the number of developed and visitor-ready historical sites and enrichment destinations in Makkah and Madinah increased to 87, attracting more than 55 million visits. This milestone enriches pilgrims’ experience and strengthens their connection to Islamic historical heritage.
Regarding community participation, the report recorded 184,569 volunteers serving pilgrims and visitors in 2025. This reflects the growing culture of volunteerism in the Kingdom and highlights its pivotal role in improving service quality.
Saudi Arabia also achieved high positions in international rankings. Makkah ranked fifth globally in the index of cities receiving the highest numbers of international visitors, while Madinah ranked seventh globally in the Tourism Performance Index.
As part of the continued development of digital services, the report stated that 15.03 million visas, including Umrah, visit and other categories, were issued, with Umrah visas accounting for 83 per cent of the total.
Pakistan, Indonesia and Egypt were the leading countries in terms of Umrah visa arrivals, reflecting integrated efforts to facilitate pilgrims’ and visitors’ journeys and enhance their overall experience.
The report concluded by affirming that these efforts contribute to fulfilling the aspirations of Saudi Vision 2030 and embody the Kingdom’s leading role in serving the Two Holy Mosques and those who visit them.