West Java Hajj Ministry Urges Travel Agencies to Source from Local Businesses, Citing 600,000 Pilgrim Potential

The Regional Office of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (Kemenhaj) in West Java is fully supporting poverty alleviation efforts through local economic empowerment. Head of the West Java Kemenhaj Regional Office, Boy Hary Novian, stated that his office is ready to collaborate with all stakeholders to drive the Hajj economic ecosystem so that its impact can be directly felt by the community. “We from the West Java Kemenhaj Regional Office will encourage Hajj and Umrah stakeholders such as travel agencies, Umrah organising permit holders (PPIU), and Hajj guidance groups (KBIH) to utilise and involve local community businesses,” Boy Hary said during a Socialisation event for Hajj Preparation held by the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah with Member of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives, Muhamad Abdul Azis Sefudin, in Cianjur, West Java, on Saturday (18/7/2026). Boy assessed that the market potential of the Hajj and Umrah ecosystem is very large. In West Java, the number of Umrah pilgrims departing can reach 400,000 to 600,000 people each year, not including around 30,000 regular Hajj pilgrims. If this potential is managed domestically, the economic turnover is believed to be capable of significantly boosting the welfare of the local community. “For this reason, West Java Kemenhaj appeals to future pilgrims to prioritise buying souvenirs in Indonesia. In addition, the government now also requires that the consumption components for pilgrims in the Holy Land, such as rice and spices, must be supplied directly from Indonesia,” he said. Boy Hary explained that West Java Kemenhaj wants the benefits of the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage, which have not yet been significantly felt by the community, to also have an impact on growing the people’s economy, especially in West Java. “Considering that all this time, trillions of rupiah of pilgrims’ money has been spent in Saudi Arabia, even though products like prayer mats, prayer beads, and even food supplies are sourced from other countries. We want the Hajj pilgrimage economic ecosystem in our region to truly run consistently and benefit our people going forward,” he said.