MIDDLE EAST | Saudi Arabia tourism has had a boost ahead of its annual National Day celebrations, according to Wego.
Wego, an online travel marketplace and app based in the Middle East and North Africa, has shared its findings on Saudi travellers’ plans during the National Day holiday.
Wego has expected an increase in domestic travel searches and bookings as Saudi Arabia gears up to celebrate its 94th National Day on September 23rd, which has provided the ideal chance for a short vacation. Residents started planning their trips to both domestic and international destinations.
Wego’s data showed that the most popular travel destinations from the previous year—such as Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam—remain popular and still draw a lot of interest. Other coastal and cultural cities like Abha, Al Madinah, Tabuk, Jazan, and Taif follow. Travelers from Saudi Arabia seek out a variety of scenic holiday sites and entertainment hotspots, and these places cater to their different preferences.
In 2023, solo travellers accounted for 66 percent of all domestic bookings on Wego during the National Day holiday. The trend is expected to continue this year, with independent travellers making up the majority of bookings, followed by couples and families.
Saudi travellers of all types continue to prefer five-star hotels for this year’s getaway, indicating a strong demand for comfort and luxury experiences.
Wego has noted an encouraging rise in domestic travel searches on its platform in the past few years.
Compared to 2019, searches for domestic trips have grown nearly sevenfold. In the first two quarters of 2024 alone, Wego recorded a year-on-year (YoY) increase of 25.74 percent in overall trip searches, with a 22.5 percent rise in domestic travel searches.
The National Day holiday in Saudi Arabia will last for four days this year. It is anticipated that domestic travel will increase during the National Day celebrations due to the extended holiday period. This provides travellers with more time to explore different destinations and enjoy leisure activities.
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