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A report on the Arabian travel market by Almosafer, a top Saudi travel company, shows that despite the full recovery of international travel, domestic travel demand in Saudi Arabia remains very strong.
Domestic bookings accounted for 56% of total bookings so far this year, up from 47% in the same period in 2019 before the pandemic. On the domestic front, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Mecca and Abha, the all-time favorite domestic destinations, continue to dominate, while popular travel destinations within Saudi Arabia include AlUla, Taif and Namibia. Ji Lan.
In terms of booking channels, data shows that 89% of total bookings are made online and 11% offline, illustrating the seamless user experience provided by Almosafer’s omnichannel touchpoints, but also through WhatsApp, call center Or retail outlets to inquire about branches for more complex itineraries.
This is especially true for domestic bookings, with almost half (49%) of bookings made through retail channels, suggesting that Saudi tourists are seeking travel advice for leisure travel in their own country.
Top international destinations for Saudi tourists include Dubai, Cairo, London, Istanbul and Doha, according to the report. Since the resumption of travel to Turkey in summer 2022, the destination has reemerged as one of the top choices for Saudi tourists. On the other hand, even after the World Cup in the fourth quarter of 2022, Doha remains attractive to Saudi tourists as a leisure destination. Popular destinations include Rome, Bangkok and Seoul, with other Asian destinations also growing in popularity.
The Almosafer report also showed that overall, Saudi tourists spend more on long-distance travel. Average trip length increased 13% to 9.1 days from 8 days in 2019, while average order value increased 15% since pre-pandemic.
The shift was even more pronounced for domestic travel, the data showed. While domestic travel used to be dominated by short trips for purposes such as visiting friends and family or attending special occasions, Saudis are now considering their own country as a destination for exploration as they spend more on long-distance leisure travel in the Kingdom .
The average duration of a domestic trip will also increase significantly by 36% to 5 days in 2023, compared to 3.7 days in 2019. Longer trips mean travelers spend more, too, with the average order value for domestic travel increasing by 40% in 2023 compared to 2019. The average booking window for domestic travel has also increased by 12% from 6.9 days in 2019 to 7.7 days in 2023, suggesting that Saudis are spending more time planning their domestic travel.
Overall, five-star hotel bookings will also increase from 46% of total hotel bookings in 2019 to 52% in 2023. This increase in spending reflects global trends, as people are opting for more luxurious and meaningful experiences since travel rebounded. Domestically, Saudis are also spending more on luxury accommodation, as the kingdom has more choice with the introduction of luxury hotel and resort brands in places like AlUla.
Travelers are also increasingly opting for low-cost airlines over full-service airlines when booking flights. Low-cost airline bookings account for 62% of total flight bookings in 2023, up from 47% in 2019, while full-service airline bookings fall from 53% in 2019 to 38% in 2023. -Cost airlines reflect increased capacity and routes, with travelers opting for more economical flight options while choosing to spend more at destinations.
Other trends include an increase in the number of solo travelers to account for 24% of all travelers in 2023, up from 14% in 2019; for clients from Almosafer Concierge, Saudi Arabia’s first luxury travel concierge, wellness experiences and Luxury Meeru accommodation is becoming the hottest trend.
Muzzammil Ahussain, CEO of Almosafer, said: “The incredible demand for travel in Saudi Arabia has not abated and our report shows that people continue to seize opportunities to travel both internationally and domestically. Spend more money on longer trips and meaningful experiences when traveling. It is also evident that Saudi Arabia has become a leisure destination for many Saudis who are starting to discover a wealth of attractions on their doorstep.” – trade arab news agency
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