2023 Hajj & Umrah Expo Conference to begin
The 2023 Hajj & Umrah Expo Conference is set to begin today.
The four-day event is part of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to enhance the religious and cultural experiences of pilgrims making the journey of Hajj and Umrah. Delegations from more than 50 countries are expected to participate in a number of keynote sessions as well as panel discussions and workshops. Proposals are expected to be submitted for infrastructure projects as well as plans to rehabilitate key sites and monuments.
The forum is part of the Saudi Vision 2030, a strategic framework, which aims to transform Saudi Arabia by focusing on three main themes: a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation. The conference is tied to the theme of developing a vibrant society, supporting efforts at increasing the number of Umrah visitors from 8 million to 30 million, as well as promoting other cultural opportunities in Saudi Arabia.
In the medium term, the conference will be important to the commitments of Saudi Vision 2030. The tourism sector will benefit greatly as well, as lessons learned from the Hajj & Umrah Expo Conference will be used to support the development of luxury hotels and other infrastructure via the Red Sea project. Riyadh hopes to achieve upwards of 100 million tourists annually by 2030.
