Wego has shared some fascinating insights into Saudi Arabia’s summer travel trends. This year, Egypt has emerged as the top destination for Saudi travellers, thanks to the strong cultural ties between both countries and seamless travel options available.
Summer flight bookings soar
Summer is peak travel season for Saudi travelers, and this year’s numbers have been nothing short of impressive. Wego‘s data revealed a healthy 16.39% YoY increase in international flight bookings from the Kingdom, with domestic flights also enjoying a chunky 16.58% growth.
Mamoun Hmidan, Wego’s Chief Business Officer, notes, “This year’s summer bookings in Saudi Arabia beat the flight bookings recorded during the busy Ramadan and Eid al Fitr travel period a few months ago by 23.20%.” The surge in bookings highlights the growing appetite for travel among Saudi residents, with digital channels playing a vital role in the Saudi travel market.
Hey big spender!
This summer, Saudi travellers have demonstrated a notable increase in spending, with an average of US$465.49 (SAR1747.61) per travellers for flights and hotel stays in June and July. These months have marked the peak spending period for travellers in 2024 so far.
It’s all about familiarity
Expat families and locals from Saudi Arabia are opting for nearby and familiar destinations to make the most of the long school holiday. Egypt, India, the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, and Pakistan have been recorded to be the most booked international destinations on Wego from the Kingdom this season.
Nice and close
Egypt accounts for almost half of all trip bookings on Wego from Saudi Arabia between June and August. The country’s close proximity to Saudi Arabia, coupled with numerous daily flights and convenient visa options, makes it an attractive choice for Saudi travelers.
The findings also revealed that Saudi travellers are embracing spontaneity, with most bookings made within a two-week window of departure.
Living it up
Wego‘s data also showed that Saudi travellers prefer luxury stays with 5-star hotels making up 41.09% of all of the international hotel bookings from the Kingdom on the platform. Following closely behind are 4-star hotel bookings at 34.73%.
