Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
Permanent URI for this communityhttps://drepo.sdl.edu.sa/handle/20.500.14154/10
Browse
2 results
Search Results
Item Restricted Enhancing the Pilgrimage Experience: An In-depth Analysis of Religious Tourism for Hajj in Makkah, Saudi Arabia(Middlesex University, 2024) Farea, Fahd; Terzidou, MatinaExecutive Summary Hajj is one of the most important events in the Islamic calendar, often requiring Muslims to attend the event at least once in their lives. Each year, the event attracts millions of people, leading to congestion especially due to the growing number of unauthorised pilgrims. Although the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah (MHU) is responsible for planning Hajj during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah from the 8th- 12th day of the month, some of the events have been marred with casualties as stampedes result in thousands of people being injured. Furthermore, the event occurs during the summer which means extreme heat, often affecting the elderly. In recent years, technologies have been used in an attempt to improve the experience and organisation of pilgrims. To investigate the social phenomenon, this study adopted an interpretivist approach through a descriptive design, an inductive approach and qualitative semi structured interviews. The goal was to provide the participants an opportunity to explain their ideas, beliefs and experiences. The current study also includes twelve participants purposively selected from three agencies that organise or facilitate the Hajj experience in one way or another. From the thematic analysis of the interviews, the current research found that the expectations of Hajjis play a crucial role in shaping their experience during the pilgrimage. Finally, the study found that communication challenges from non-Arab speakers particularly, climate issues and infrastructural issues account for some of the main challenges that affect the pilgrim experience for Hajjis in Saudi Arabia.18 0Item Restricted ASSESSING SECURITY MEASURES AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON TOURIST EXPERIENCE DURING RIYADH’S MEGA-EVENTS(Sheffield Hallam Univeristy, 2024) Alrehaili, Faizah; Ndeke, AnnThis dissertation investigates the impact of security measures on tourist experiences during Riyadh Season mega-events, a crucial component of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. With the growing emphasis on safety and security in global tourism, understanding the effects of these measures on tourists' perceptions of safety, overall satisfaction, and their likelihood to return and recommend the events is essential. A qualitative methodology was employed, utilising semi-structured interviews with participants who attended the events to gather in-depth insights. The study’s key findings reveal that visible security measures, such as uniformed guards and checkpoints, significantly enhance tourists' perceived safety but can also create a sense of intrusion. In contrast, hidden measures, like CCTV and digital monitoring, contribute positively to overall satisfaction without causing anxiety. Effective communication of security procedures and the presence of visible security personnel were found to reassure tourists, yet their intrusiveness sometimes detracted from the overall experience. The research underscores the necessity for a balanced approach that ensures robust security while minimising disruption to the tourist experience. Transparent security procedures and well-trained personnel are critical for fostering trust and encouraging repeat visits. Recommendations for future research include examining the long-term effects of security measures on destination reputation and developing strategies that optimise security without compromising visitor satisfaction. This study offers valuable insights for tourism managers and policymakers to enhance security protocols, thereby supporting the sustainable growth of tourism in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.33 0