Hajj and Umrah Business Ecosystem Must Prioritise Benefit and Service to Pilgrims

Indonesia is the country that sends the largest number of Hajj pilgrims in the world. In 2024, the number of Indonesian Hajj pilgrims reached 241,000, the largest in the history of the national Hajj organisation. Meanwhile, in 2025, the Hajj quota remains high at around 221,000 pilgrims, indicating strong and consistent demand from the Indonesian public. In the Umrah sector, growth is also significant. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the number of Indonesian Umrah pilgrims reached more than 547,000, reflecting high public interest in this pilgrimage throughout the year. Globally, the total number of Hajj pilgrims reached more than 1.8 million in 2024, indicating a very large and competitive industry. “With this large number of pilgrims, the Hajj and Umrah ecosystem is one of the strategic sectors that has a multiplier effect,” said Chairman of the Himpunan Pengusaha KAHMI (Hipka), Kamrussamad, at the Business Talk Ramadan event held by Hipka in Jakarta, Wednesday (25/2/2026). Kamrussamad said that with the volume of Indonesian pilgrims reaching hundreds of thousands per year, this sector is considered to have significant and sustainable economic potential. According to him, through this forum, Hipka emphasises the importance of transforming the Hajj and Umrah ecosystem through strengthening regulations and governance, improving the quality of services for pilgrims, digitalising pilgrimage services, and opening up new investment opportunities. “The momentum of Ramadan is a moment of reflection that the Hajj and Umrah business ecosystem must be built not only from a business perspective, but also from the perspective of benefit and service to pilgrims,” said Kamrussamad, who is also a member of the DPR (House of Representatives) for the Gerindra faction. In the future, he added, Hipka is committed to being a strategic bridge between the government and the business world in creating a more professional, transparent, and globally competitive ecosystem. “This forum is a strategic step for Hipka in strengthening the national Hajj and Umrah business ecosystem in the midst of significant growth in this sector,” Kamrussamad concluded. With the theme “The Spirit of Ramadan Presents the Role of Hipka Entrepreneurs in Strengthening the Hajj and Umrah Business Ecosystem”, the Business Talk Ramadan forum brings together the government and business actors to encourage more integrated collaboration. Also present were Director General of the Development of the Hajj & Umrah Ecosystem of the Ministry of Hajj, Prof. Jenal Effendi, Deputy Minister of Trade, Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri, Director of Commercial Affairs of Garuda Indonesia, Reza Aulia Hakim, President Director of the Government Investment Centre, Ismed Saputra, and President Director of the Plantation Fund Management Agency, Eddy Abdurrachman. (H-2) The Ministry of Hajj continues to prepare Indonesian Hajj pilgrims through the Integrated Hajj Guidance Program at the Regency/City and District levels. Garuda Indonesia donated one aircraft for facilities for the Hajj practice at the Class I Hajj Dormitory in Aceh. This donation is designed as a means of direct practice for prospective pilgrims. The Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Mochamad Irfan Yusuf, ensures that Indonesian Hajj pilgrims receive the best possible catering services. MEDIAINDONESIA.COM, February 8, 2026, published a news article entitled ‘Saudi Arabia Starts Issuing 2026 Hajj Visas Earlier’. Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Gus Irfan Yusuf, emphasised the importance of physical, mental and religious understanding in the 2026 National Hajj Guidance. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) continues to strengthen the supervision of Umrah pilgrimage management as a form of state presence in protecting the rights of pilgrims. Kemenhaj prioritises mediation and deliberation in handling Umrah pilgrim complaints so that the resolution is fair, transparent and balanced. Being in the Holy Land is an opportunity to strengthen faith, find peace and cultivate the spirit of life. This major departure is an important moment for companies to improve the quality of Umrah services and the spiritual experience of pilgrims. However, a group of pilgrims now choose a different moment, namely worshipping in the coolness of the Holy Land in winter. Copyright @ 2026 Media Group - mediaindonesia. All Rights Reserved