Saudi travellers are hitting the road, skies and seas in record numbers in 2025 with bookings surging 14% for regional hotspots like Dubai, Doha and Cairo according to Almosafer’s latest report. Released on April 29th, 2025 the report highlights a 4% rise in domestic trips and an 11% jump in international adventures, fuelled by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and mobile-first booking trends. From family vacations to solo escapades, X is buzzing with #SaudiTravel2025, showcasing a nation eager to explore. With flexible payments like Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) and events driving demand, Saudi Arabia is redefining travel in the Middle East.

Details & Context
Almosafer, a leading Saudi travel platform under Seera Group, reported a vibrant travel surge in Q1 2025 with regional bookings up 14% and international trips beyond the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) climbing 11%. Domestic travel grew by 4%, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s push to become a tourism hub under Vision 2030, which saw airports handle 128 million passengers in 2024, a 45.8% increase since 2016, per Arab News. Key regional destinations include Dubai, Doha, Cairo and Manama while long-haul favourites like Istanbul, London, Paris and Phuket remain popular with emerging spots like Bangkok, Amman and Milan gaining traction, per gulfbusiness.com.

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The report highlights a shift toward mobile-first convenience with the Almosafer app handling 70% of bookings and WhatsApp accounting for 15% of retail bookings, per tradearabia.com. BNPL options soared to 25% of bookings, up from 14% in 2024, while Apple Pay was used in 36% of transactions, reflecting a tech-savvy traveller base. Domestic room nights jumped 14%, driven by events like Riyadh Season and Jeddah festivals while international stays rose 13%. Cities like Makkah, Jeddah, Riyadh, Al Khobar and Madinah led domestic bookings, with Taif, AlUla and the Red Sea emerging as new hotspots, per @ArabNewsBiz on X.

Saudi traveller profiles are evolving: 53% of flight segments are solo travellers, particularly for long-haul trips, while family travel at 16%, saw a 23% increase in trip length within MENA. Full-service carriers gained 24% in domestic flights but low-cost carriers surged 35% for international routes, per Almosafer’s data. Accommodation trends show 75% of room nights in 4- and 5-star hotels, yet budget options (3-star and below) rose 12% internationally and holiday homes grew 15% in MENA, offering 37% savings per night.

Quotes

·      “Saudi travellers are exploring with confidence, embracing value and flexibility through mobile payments and unique experiences,” said Muzzammil Ahussain, CEO of Almosafer, per Arab News.

·      “Vision 2030 is transforming Saudi Arabia into a travel powerhouse, with events and connectivity driving demand,” noted a Saudi tourism official, per @MenaToday1 on X.

·      “Booking my Dubai trip via Almosafer’s app was a breeze.! #SaudiTravel2025,” tweeted @TravelWithSaud on X.

·      “AlUla’s luxury resorts are calling.! Can’t wait to explore #SaudiTourism,” shared @JeddahVibes on X.

Additional Information
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is a game-changer, with $800 billion invested in tourism infrastructure including NEOM and the Red Sea Project, aiming for 150 million annual visitors by 2030, per sa-fe.org. The Kingdom’s airports, like King Abdulaziz in Jeddah and King Khalid in Riyadh are expanding, with Riyadh Air set to launch in 2025, boosting connectivity, per oag.com. Events like Formula 1, Ramadan celebrations and Saudi Season festivals are drawing crowds, with Riyadh and Jeddah leading activity bookings, per gulfbusiness.com.

X posts show excitement for travel trends. @MenaToday1 reported the 14% regional demand spike, while @JeddahVibes praised AlUla’s luxury offerings. However, some users like @SaudiTraveler, noted challenges with budget airline reliability for long-haul routes. The report also highlights booking flexibility, with 24% of travellers mixing airlines for round trips and a 32% rise in Android-based bookings, per tradearabia.com. Emerging destinations like Moscow, Madrid and Prague reflect Saudi travellers’ growing curiosity, per Almosafer’s data.

Read More: Saudi Hajj: Saudi Arabia Welcomes Hajj 2025 Pilgrims with Open Arms in Jeddah, Madinah

Impact Analysis

·      Economic Growth: Tourism contributes to Saudi Arabia’s non-oil economy, with 700,000 airline seats allocated in Q1 2025, supporting Vision 2030’s 150 million visitor goal, per Arab News.

·      Traveller Behaviour: Solo travellers (53%) and longer family trips (23% increase) show diverse preferences, boosting regional economies like Dubai’s, per @ArabNewsBiz.

·      Tech Adoption: Mobile apps (70% of bookings) and BNPL (25%) make travel accessible, with WhatsApp bookings up 15%, per tradearabia.com.

·      Regional Influence: Dubai, Doha and Cairo benefit from Saudi travellers, strengthening MENA tourism ties, per gulfbusiness.com.

·      Challenges: Budget carrier reliability and visa delays for new destinations like Moscow could hinder growth, per @SaudiTraveler on X.

Saudi Arabia’s travel boom in 2025, with a 14% surge in regional bookings and 11% in international trips, reflects a nation embracing exploration. From Dubai’s skyscrapers to AlUla’s deserts, Saudi travellers are leveraging mobile apps, flexible payments and Vision 2030’s infrastructure to chase adventure. The #SaudiTravel2025 trend on X captures this excitement but challenges like budget airline issues need addressing. As Saudi Arabia aims for 150 million visitors by 2030, its travel sector is a global force. Join the journey and share the story of a Kingdom on the move.

Call to Action (CTA)
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