JEDDAH — The Ufuq data platform is actively supplying critical Hajj and Umrah sector analytics to more than 55 Saudi government agencies, accelerating evidence-based planning across the Kingdom’s pilgrimage ecosystem. Operated under the Pilgrim Experience Program (PEP), the centralized digital system provides stakeholders with over 100 comprehensive annual reports, more than 15 interactive visual dashboards, and over 15 high-value open datasets to streamline operational efficiency.
The deployment of this unified data infrastructure marks a major step in Saudi Arabia’s broader push to modernize public service delivery under Saudi Vision 2030. As international pilgrimage volumes continue to expand—with overseas Umrah arrivals climbing from 8.4 million in 2022 to 18 million in 2025—authorities rely heavily on integrated digital intelligence to manage crowd flows, upgrade logistical infrastructure, and elevate overall visitor satisfaction across Makkah and Madinah.
Speaking to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on the sidelines of the sixth Hajj and Umrah Conference and Exhibition in Jeddah, Khalid Alshammari, Director of Strategic Communications and Media at the Pilgrim Experience Program, underscored that rigorous performance tracking and satisfaction monitoring form the core foundation for enhancing pilgrimage services. He noted that elevating the spiritual and logistical journey for the Guests of God depends on a cohesive framework that merges continuous service measurement, open data accessibility, and institutional innovation.
According to Alshammari, the Ufuq platform acts as a single, authoritative intelligence source for sector stakeholders, transforming raw operational figures into structured knowledge products. By integrating analytical reports and real-time dashboards into agency workflows, the platform empowers ministry planners and service operators to pinpoint service gaps, allocate resources effectively, and implement targeted operational improvements.
In addition to supporting internal government coordination across dozens of state institutions, Ufuq broadens public and private sector transparency by publishing over 15 specialized datasets directly through the Kingdom’s Open Data Platform. This wider accessibility encourages external researchers, technology developers, and private-sector partners to design innovative digital solutions tailored to the evolving needs of millions of pilgrims visiting the Two Holy Mosques each year.
Industry observers note that consolidating pilgrimage intelligence within a unified national repository eliminates institutional data silos and enhances inter-agency responsiveness during peak religious seasons. Through ongoing digital transformation initiatives like Ufuq, Saudi authorities continue to establish global benchmarks in large-scale crowd management and smart hospitality services.
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