• THE TRANSFORMATION: TRAVEL TRENDS
and forecasts it to reach $47.8 billion by 2032, an annual growth rate of 8.2%. Saudi travellers are commercially important because they combine scale with high expectations. They travel as couples, families and multigenerational groups, value premium accommodation and full- service aviation, and increasingly look beyond established favourites to new destinations. Their preferences for privacy, generous space, Arabic-language support, flexible dining, shopping and tailored experiences are encouraging international hotels, airlines and destinations to rethink their offer. For Saudi inbound tourism, the lesson works in reverse. International growth will depend on understanding the differences between GCC, Asian, African, European and other visitors rather than addressing them as one global audience. Product design, language, payments, distribution and service all need to reflect the market being targeted. In the meantime, establishing air connectivity to key source markets is high on the agenda, in a bid to stimulate demand and support travel partners in selling Saudi. In July, Saudi Arabia’s Air Connectivity Programme signed an MoU with premium leisure carrier beOnd to explore direct air routes linking Red Sea International Airport with six major European cities. The proposed all-premium services would connect London, Paris, Moscow, Milan, Munich and Zurich to the luxury destination.
"Saudi consumers accustomed to fast digital services at home will increasingly judge international destinations by the same standard"
Latin America. Demand between emerging markets is rising too, creating new regional and intercontinental travel corridors. Saudi Arabia sits on both sides of this change. It is a rapidly growing destination, a potential gateway between Asia, Africa, Europe and the wider Middle East, and an influential outbound market in its own right. Coherent Market Insights, cited by WTM Spotlight, values Saudi outbound tourism at $27.5 billion in 2025
Below: Six Senses AMAALA: the luxury Red Sea destination presents a new take on high-end wellness
22 | SPOTLIGHT RIYADH
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