Hyderabad, Aug. 5 -- Saudi Arabia's Pilgrim Experience Program (PEP) has highlighted major gains in pilgrim services and global tourism rankings, with Makkah and Madinah securing places among the world's leading visitor destinations in its 2025 annual report, Honor and Impact.

According to the report, Makkah ranked fifth globally among cities receiving the highest number of international visitors, while Madinah placed seventh in the global Tourism Performance Index, reflecting the Kingdom's continued efforts to enhance the pilgrim experience under Saudi Vision 2030.

19.5 million pilgrims arrive in 2025

The report said more than 19.5 million pilgrims and Umrah performers arrived in Saudi Arabia from abroad in 2025, including 18.03 milli...