South Africa, Saudi Arabia boost tourism ties to ease pilgrim journeys [VIDEO]

Tourism De Lille said the engagement was about more than logistics – it was an opportunity to deepen tourism links “South Africa and Saudi Arabia already have an important connection through the thousands of South African Muslims who travel for Hajj and Umrah.

Watch Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille talking about Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al‑Rabiah’s here: Pilgrims challenges The allowed Minister Al‑Rabiah to meet with de Lille and representatives of the travel and tourism sector and hear directly about the challenges facing South African pilgrims.

Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille hosted Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al‑Rabiah, during his official to South Africa on Wednesday, 9 September 2026.