Wego, a well-known travel app and online marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has revealed that domestic travel in Saudi Arabia is on the rise. According to recent data, domestic flight bookings during Eid Al-Fitr increased by 20.31% compared to the same time last year. This highlights a growing trend of Saudi travelers opting to explore their own country.
More than three million searches were made on the Wego platform for flights to Riyadh, with domestic bookings up by 19.63% compared to the previous month. This shows that more people are choosing to travel within Saudi Arabia, especially during holiday periods like Eid Al-Fitr.
The top domestic destinations during Eid Al-Fitr were Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam. These cities are popular travel hubs throughout the year and were particularly attractive during the holiday because of the special events and festivities held there. Other cities, including Abha, Medina, Jizan, Tabuk, Taif, Al Qassim, and Najran, also saw an influx of visitors, suggesting that people traveled for a mix of leisure and to return home for the holiday.
Solo travelers made up the largest group of domestic travelers during Eid, followed by couples and families. Most bookings were made just two to seven days before departure, indicating that many travelers planned their trips at the last minute.
This rise in domestic travel during holidays isn't limited to Eid Al-Fitr. Similar patterns have been seen around other important events like New Year's and Founding Day, with increases as high as 56.69% from one month to the next. This consistent growth shows that Saudi travelers increasingly prefer exploring local destinations during holiday periods.
Earlier this year, the Saudi Ministry of Tourism announced a record-breaking 100 million visitors, most of whom were domestic travelers. This further supports the trend of people opting to explore Saudi Arabia rather than traveling abroad.
Wego expects this upward trend in domestic travel to continue, thanks to the Saudi government's efforts to grow the tourism sector. This includes major projects, international events, and significant improvements in infrastructure. The Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing its tourism offerings will likely encourage even more Saudis to explore their home country in the future.
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