Hajj Returns: Nigeria’s NAHCON says 1,905 Nigerian pilgrims and officials have safely returned from Saudi Arabia after the 2026 Hajj, with multiple airlift flights from Jeddah to Abuja and other states. Pilgrimage Heritage: Saudi archaeologists report uncovering 1,700+ artifacts at Al-Juhfah/Miqat al-Juhfah, highlighting centuries of pilgrimage history around Mecca. Umrah Access: Saudi Arabia has started issuing Umrah visas for the new season, with pilgrim arrivals beginning. Tourism Growth Outlook: A new forecast puts Saudi Arabia’s events industry on track to more than double from $6.1bn (2021) to $17.6bn by 2031, driven by sports, music concerts and younger audiences. Aviation & Connectivity: Boeing delivered Riyadh Air’s first 787-9 Dreamliner to support expansion, while Saudi energy minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman reiterated the Kingdom will remain a reliable energy supplier—an important signal for travel confidence amid regional tensions. Travel Safety: The U.S. issued a broad Middle East travel advisory urging Americans to stay cautious, including Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” for Saudi Arabia and Level 4 “Do Not Travel” for higher-risk areas. Major Infrastructure: King Salman International Airport’s £22.5bn build is progressing toward a 2030 completion, aiming for up to 100m passengers and six runways.