Pilgrim Satisfaction Hits 91%: How Tech Transformed Hajj 2025

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is celebrating a monumental achievement, declaring the Hajj season of 2025 as the most successful and best-organized pilgrimage in the last five decades, a testament to the ambitious goals laid out in Saudi Vision 2030. This exceptional organization translated directly into a phenomenal surge in pilgrim satisfaction, which soared to an unprecedented 91 percent, up dramatically from 74 percent in 2022. The news was unveiled by Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, during the high-profile fifth edition of the Hajj Conference and Exhibition held in Jeddah.

This resounding success is not merely a seasonal boast but a clear indicator of a strategic, year-round commitment to enhancing the "Pilgrim Experience Program," a key initiative under Vision 2030. The conference, inaugurated by Deputy Emir of Makkah Prince Saud bin Mishaal, reinforced the Kingdom's dedication to continuously improving services, drawing a historical lineage from King Abdulaziz’s founding principles to the contemporary era of integration and service excellence. The event itself served as a global platform, fostering cooperation among over 150 participating countries and featuring the inaugural "History of Hajj and the Two Holy Mosques Forum" to scientifically document the pilgrimage's historical depth.

The future trajectory of Hajj management is anchored in early preparation and cutting-edge technology. Minister Al-Rabiah detailed that the preparations for the upcoming Hajj season commenced the very day after the 2025 rituals concluded. Demonstrating unparalleled efficiency and foresight, the Ministry has already finalized basic contracts for over 60 percent of the incoming pilgrims. Furthermore, initial infrastructure readiness for the holy sites stands at 50 percent and is projected to reach complete readiness before the start of the month of Dhul Qadah. In a comprehensive move to ensure comfortable accommodations, over 70 percent of residential and hotel facilities have been prepared in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism.

A key driver of the enhanced pilgrim experience is the digital transformation spearheaded by the Ministry. The Nusk application, which has already amassed over 40 million global users, is now entering a revolutionary new phase with the introduction of "Nusk AI." This application of artificial intelligence is poised to personalize and smooth the pilgrim journey further, providing intelligent, user-centric services. Beyond the direct rituals, the Kingdom's commitment to enriching the pilgrim's spiritual journey is evident in the development of 71 significant historical and cultural sites across Makkah and Madinah, which have already seen over three million visitors with a satisfaction rating exceeding 95 percent. These ongoing technological and infrastructure upgrades, solidified by the multiple operational and technology agreements signed at the conference, confirm that the foundational work for an even smoother and more spiritually enriching Hajj experience is not just underway, but is already achieving unprecedented benchmarks.