Saudi journey firm Almosafer’s new report reveals newest home journey traits

The report exhibits that the highest worldwide locations for Saudi travellers embody Dubai, Cairo, London, Istanbul, and Doha. Because the resumption of journey to Türkey in the summertime of 2022, the vacation spot has catapulted its approach again to one of many prime selections for Saudi vacationers. Doha, however, has retained its enchantment for Saudi vacationers as a leisure vacation spot, even after the World Cup final 12 months. Trending locations embody Rome, Bangkok, and Seoul, with different Asian locations additionally gaining recognition.

When it comes to reserving channels, the information exhibits that 89 % of whole bookings are made on-line in comparison with 11 % made offline, illustrating the seamless consumer expertise supplied by Almosafer’s omnichannel touchpoints, but in addition the necessity for advisory by means of WhatsApp, name heart or by way of retail branches for extra complicated itineraries. That is very true for home bookings, the place virtually half (49 %) of all bookings are positioned by way of retail channels, indicating that Saudi vacationers are in search of journey advisory providers for leisure journeys in their very own nation.

Almosafer’s report additionally exhibits that total, Saudi vacationers are spending extra on longer journeys. The typical journey size has elevated by 13 % to 9.1 days, up from 8 days in 2019, whereas the common order worth has elevated by 15 % since pre-pandemic.

The information exhibits that this shift is much more amplified in home journeys. Whereas home journey was pushed by shorter journeys for functions equivalent to visiting household, associates, or for particular events, Saudis at the moment are contemplating their very own nation as a vacation spot to discover, as they spend extra money on longer leisure journeys within the Kingdom.

There has additionally been a big enhance within the common size of home journeys of 36 % to 5-day journeys in 2023 in comparison with 3.7 days in 2019. Longer journeys imply that travellers are additionally spending extra money with the common order worth for home journeys rising by 40 % in 2023 in comparison with 2019. The typical reserving window for home journey has additionally elevated by 12 % to 7.7 days in 2023, up from 6.9 days in 2019, suggesting that Saudis are spending extra time to plan their home journeys.

General, bookings for five-star motels have additionally elevated from 46 % of whole lodge bookings in 2019 to 52 % in 2023. This enhance in spending mirrors the worldwide development as individuals are selecting extra luxurious and significant experiences since journey has rebounded. Domestically, Saudis are additionally spending extra money on luxurious lodging now that there’s a wider vary of choices accessible with the introduction of luxurious motels and resort manufacturers to the Kingdom in places equivalent to AlUla.

Travellers are additionally exhibiting an more and more robust desire for low-cost carriers over full service carriers when reserving flights. In 2023, bookings for low-cost carriers accounted for 62 % of whole flight bookings, up from 47 % in 2019, whereas bookings for full-service carriers decreased from 53 % in 2019 to 38 % in 2023. This enhance in bookings for low-cost carriers displays the rise in capability and routes, and travellers are choosing extra economical flight selections whereas selecting to as a substitute spend extra at their vacation spot.

Different traits embody a rise within the variety of solo travellers who account for twenty-four % of travellers in 2023, up from 14 % in 2019; and for patrons of Almosafer Concierge, the primary luxurious journey concierge service from Saudi Arabia, wellness experiences and luxurious honeymoon island stays are rising as the highest traits.

Muzzammil Ahussain, Chief Government Officer of Almosafer, stated: “The unbelievable urge for food for journey stays undiminished within the Kingdom and our report exhibits that individuals proceed to know alternatives to journey each internationally and domestically. They’re spending extra money on longer journeys and significant experiences once they journey. What can also be turning into obvious is that Saudi Arabia has change into a leisure vacation spot for a lot of Saudis who’re starting to find the wealth of points of interest at their very own doorstep.”