International Visitors to Saudi Arabia: Trends and Insights from Visa’s Global Travel Intentions Study
A recent study by Visa highlights notable trends among international travelers to Saudi Arabia, revealing changing behaviors and increasing economic contributions from inbound tourism.
Key Findings:
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Extended Stays and Increased Spending: International visitors are not only staying longer but also spending more during their visits.
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Rising Use of AI:
- Pre-Trip Planning: AI is becoming crucial for travel inspiration (50%), reviews and recommendations (48%), flight and accommodation searches (45%), and itinerary planning (36%).
- Despite AI’s growing influence, traditional sources, such as friends, family (46%), travel agents (41%), social media (39%), and search engines (38%), continue to be significant for travel recommendations.
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Motives for Visiting: Visitors are attracted to Saudi Arabia for various reasons:
- Religious travel (Hajj and Umrah)
- Leisure
- Visiting friends and relatives
- Shopping, with 75% of respondents shopping during their stay.
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Shopping Habits:
- 43% visited local markets
- 37% frequented department stores or malls.
- 39% engaged in experiences and tours, while 24% visited theme parks.
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Family Travel and Safety:
- 75% of visitors traveled with family.
- A safe and secure destination was cited as a motivating factor by 28% of respondents.
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Evolving Payment Methods:
- Credit and debit cards dominate as payment methods, with mobile wallets gaining popularity.
- Cash remains relevant, with 42% of visitors carrying it mainly for emergencies and smaller expenses, accounting for 23% of main payment methods at destinations.
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Average Trip Expenditure: Visitors spent an average of SAR 10,405 ($2,774), with 54% of expenses pre-booked. Key spending categories included:
- Accommodation: 19%
- Transportation: 18%
- Food and Beverages: 17%
- Experiences: 15%
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Market Variations: Spending varied by origin, with US visitors spending the most at SAR 21,530, followed by UAE visitors at SAR 14,046 and UK visitors at SAR 10,558.
This study underscores the evolving landscape of travel in Saudi Arabia, driven by technological influences and changing consumer preferences, contributing positively to the Kingdom’s economy.
