Strengthening Policies for The Development of The Hajj and Umrah Economic Ecosystem by Increasing Inward Spending

The implementation of Hajj and Umrah has transformed from a religious ritual into a strategic economic ecosystem; however, Indonesia has not yet fully captured its economic potential due to fragmented policies. This paper evaluates strategic options for optimizing Indonesia’s Hajj economic ecosystem. Using a mixed-method approach that combined secondary data analysis with a mini-survey of key decision-makers, three strategic options were evaluated: strengthening inward spending, increasing workforce participation, and optimizing the benefit value of managed Hajj funds. The survey findings revealed that strengthening inward spending was the highest priority for immediate implementation. This finding highlights the necessity of prioritizing inward spending to prevent capital outflows and maximize national economic growth. By strengthening trade logistics, expanding direct investment, and integrating domestic MSMEs into Saudi Arabia’s global supply chain, Indonesia can develop a resilient economic model that generates sustainable national value. Consequently, this option serves as a primary leverage point for capturing greater economic value, minimizing capital outflows, and enhancing the national multiplier effect.