As the Islamic month of Dhu Al Hijjah approaches, the global travel industry is preparing for one of the largest annual movements of religious travellers in the world. In 2026, Eid Al Adha is expected to begin on May 27, subject to moon sightings across the Muslim world, while Hajj pilgrimage rituals are likely to commence from May 25 onward.

For airlines, tour operators, destination marketers, hospitality groups and travel intermediaries, the upcoming season represents far more than a religious observance. Dhu Al Hijjah and Eid Al Adha have become major economic drivers within the global religious tourism sector, generating billions of dollars annually and reshaping travel demand across the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Understanding Dhu Al Hijjah and Eid Al Adha

Dhu Al Hijjah is the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar and is considered one of the holiest periods in Islam. The month is particularly significant because it includes Hajj — the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia — and culminates with Eid Al Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice.

Eid Al Adha commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. The celebration is marked globally through prayers, family gatherings, charitable giving and Qurbani, the ritual sacrifice of livestock.

For the travel sector, the period triggers massive spikes in international and domestic travel, especially across Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Southeast Asia, South Asia and North Africa.

Astronomical calculations currently indicate that Dhu Al Hijjah 1447 AH may begin on May 18, 2026, with Arafat Day on May 26 and Eid Al Adha beginning on May 27. Final confirmation, however, will depend on official moon sightings.

Muslim pilgrims from all around the World revolving around the Kaaba on June 30 2019 in Mecca Saudi Arabia.

Hajj Remains One of the World’s Largest Travel Movements

Hajj continues to rank among the world’s largest annual gatherings. Millions of Muslims travel to Mecca every year to fulfil the fifth pillar of Islam. According to Saudi authorities, approximately 1.67 million pilgrims participated in Hajj 2025, including more than 1.5 million international pilgrims arriving through various global entry points.

Although 2025 numbers declined compared to pre-pandemic peaks, the scale remains enormous for the global travel industry. Prior to COVID-19, annual Hajj participation frequently exceeded two million pilgrims, with the record standing above 3.1 million pilgrims in 2012.

Saudi Arabia has simultaneously expanded year-round Umrah tourism, which is increasingly becoming a critical contributor to the kingdom’s non-oil economy. Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq Al-Rabiah stated earlier that more than 18.5 million pilgrims from outside the kingdom performed Hajj and Umrah in 2024.

This surge is directly tied to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification agenda, which aims to increase annual Hajj and Umrah visitors to 30 million by 2030.

Religious Tourism fuels the economy

Religious tourism is now emerging as one of the strongest pillars of Middle Eastern tourism economics. Saudi Arabia previously generated around US$12 billion annually from Hajj and Umrah-related travel. Industry estimates have grown even more ambitious in recent years. Market intelligence firms project the Saudi Hajj tourism sector alone could be worth over US$183 billion in 2025, potentially reaching US$368 billion by 2035.

The sector now encompasses airlines, hotels, destination management companies, fintech, transport operators, pilgrimage technology platforms, luxury retail and infrastructure developers.

Saudi Arabia is also heavily investing in new hospitality projects surrounding Mecca and Medina, including hotel expansions, airport infrastructure upgrades and smart mobility systems designed to manage growing pilgrim numbers more efficiently.

For travel sellers, the opportunity extends well beyond pilgrimage packages. Bleisure-style extensions, stopover tourism, premium spiritual experiences and family-oriented Eid travel are becoming increasingly important revenue streams.

The ritual at Mount Arafat, known as the hill of mercy, is considered the peak of the Hajj pilgrimage at Mecca

Airlines and Hospitality Prepare for Peak Demand

Airlines across the Middle East and Asia traditionally witness a substantial spike in bookings during Dhu Al Hijjah and Eid Al Adha. Major hubs including Dubai, Doha, Jeddah and Riyadh experience heightened passenger traffic as pilgrims and leisure travellers move across the region. School holiday announcements in the UAE for Eid Al Adha 2026 have already begun influencing regional booking patterns, with authorities confirming holiday breaks from May 25 to May 29.

Travel management companies are also anticipating strong outbound family travel from Gulf markets during the Eid break period, particularly towards destinations in Europe, Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean.

Hotels in Mecca and Medina meanwhile continue to command premium occupancy levels during the Hajj period, with luxury and mid-scale operators expanding aggressively to cater to evolving pilgrim demographics.

Digitalisation Reshapes the Pilgrim Journey

Technology is becoming central to modern religious tourism. Saudi Arabia has accelerated digitisation through e-visas, smart crowd management systems, digital health services and the Nusuk pilgrimage platform, all aimed at streamlining pilgrim experiences.

The kingdom has also introduced stricter accommodation regulations and expanded digital booking infrastructure to reduce fraud and improve traveller safety. For B2B travel companies, this transformation opens opportunities in pilgrimage tech integration, travel insurance, multilingual customer service and AI-assisted travel planning.

The growth of younger Muslim travellers is also reshaping the sector. Millennials and Gen Z pilgrims increasingly seek personalised itineraries, premium accommodations and culturally immersive experiences beyond the core religious rituals.

Climate and Capacity Challenges Continue

Extreme heat has increasingly impacted Hajj operations in recent years, prompting Saudi authorities to introduce expanded medical services, cooling infrastructure and additional safety protocols. Interestingly, Saudi officials have noted that Hajj seasons will gradually shift into cooler months over the next decade because of the lunar calendar cycle. Reports indicate that Hajj will occur during spring between 2026 and 2033, potentially improving travel conditions for pilgrims.

Iran Conflict Adds new dimensions to Hajj and Eid Travel

The ongoing Iran conflict is increasingly impacting religious tourism ahead of Hajj and Eid Al Adha 2026, raising concerns for airlines, tour operators and pilgrims globally. Rising geopolitical tensions in the Gulf have pushed up jet fuel prices, increasing operational costs for airlines and resulting in higher airfares for pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia. Reuters reported that carriers across Europe and the Middle East are already facing significant fuel cost pressures linked to the conflict.

Several countries have begun preparing contingency plans for Hajj operations amid fears of potential airspace disruptions. Airlines have rerouted flights around conflict-sensitive zones in Iran, Iraq and Syria, increasing travel times and costs. In India, authorities confirmed an airfare hike for Hajj pilgrims due to fuel price increases linked to the conflict. 

Travel analysts believe some Muslim travellers may opt for shorter Eid holidays or delay Umrah trips because of uncertainty around cancellations and pricing. However, despite the operational challenges, demand for Hajj is expected to remain strong given its deep religious significance and Saudi Arabia’s continued investment in pilgrimage infrastructure.

For the global travel trade, Dhu Al Hijjah and Eid Al Adha are no longer niche religious travel periods. They now represent a sophisticated, high-volume tourism economy that spans aviation, hospitality, retail, fintech and destination marketing. Travel agencies specialising in faith-based tourism are increasingly moving toward dynamic packaging, premium pilgrim experiences and digital-first booking ecosystems. At the same time, Saudi Arabia’s continued investment in religious tourism infrastructure signals that pilgrimage travel will remain central to the kingdom’s tourism ambitions for decades to come.

As Eid Al Adha 2026 approaches, the convergence of faith, technology and tourism economics is reshaping one of the world’s oldest travel traditions into one of the industry’s most powerful growth sectors.