- Just 36% of people from the Saudi Arabia have been abroad since the start of the pandemic, leading to a rush to get away this summer
- A huge 98% of those going away this summer will spend more than usual (vs pre-pandemic) on their holidays – on average by over SAR12,000 per person
- The long summer holiday is set to make a comeback in 2022, with 72% planning to go away for longer than usual – meanwhile most are planning multiple summer trips
Travellers from Saudi Arabia are planning to go away for longer and spend more than usual on their summer holidays this year to make up for a lack of breaks abroad over the past two years.
The new data, released today by Marriott Bonvoy, the travel loyalty programme, shows that amongst the 78% of people from Saudi Arabia who already know they will be heading abroad this summer (June-September), 98% say they will be spending more than they usually would – on average by SAR12,000 per person. This is compared to their typical spend on summer holidays pre-Covid.
This increase in holidays is being spearheaded by older holidaymakers – 96% of those aged over 65 and 93% of those aged 55-64 plan to go on holiday this summer.
Return of the longer holiday
It’s not just more money travellers plan to spend on their summer holidays this year – they also plan to spend more time away than usual. Amongst those heading abroad, nearly three-quarter (72%) say they plan to go away for longer than normal, rising to 98% older travellers aged over 65.
Many travellers have not been on a long break in quite some time. In fact, 46% have not been on a holiday of two weeks or longer in three years or more.
But that looks set to change this year, with 64% of those going away planning to do at least one holiday of a fortnight or more. Figures from Marriott Bonvoy’s own data strongly back-up this trend, showing that in Europe and the Middle East, the proportion of holidaymakers booking longer 8-14 day stays for this summer is double the 2019 figure.
Meanwhile, many will be looking forward to multiple holidays this summer. Nearly two thirds (62%) say they will be going away on more holidays than usual between June and September this year – again rising to 98% for adults aged over 65.
First break in three years for many
The increase in spend and time away is a direct result of the pandemic, with many making up for a lack of breaks in the past couple of years. In fact, just 36% of people in Saudi Arabia say they have been on holiday abroad since the pandemic started. Meanwhile three in ten (30%) have not been abroad since summer 2019 – almost three years ago by this summer.
As such, over a third (36%) say they are determined to go away this summer, with 33% saying they felt holidays abroad were simply too risky during the past two years.
Relaxation and ease the priority
Likely a result of the pandemic, holidaymakers are seeking relaxing, stress-free breaks this summer. Thirty-five per cent say their priority for their summer holiday is that it is ‘as relaxing as possible’ whilst 39% say they are looking for a ‘hassle-free break with everything we need in the resort’. Meanwhile 24% are using this summer for a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list holiday, possibly contributing to the overall increase in holidays amongst older travellers.
Top summer destinations for Saudi Arabian travellers
Marriott Bonvoy’s own data is able to reveal where Saudi Arabian travellers will be most likely to head for their extended breaks this summer. It shows that the European destinations of Switzerland, the UK and Spain will be the top three summer destinations of choice this year.
Sandeep Walia, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East, Marriott International:
“We are seeing that travellers in Saudi Arabia are determined to get a proper escape this summer with the return of the longer summer holiday. Many are planning to spend significantly more, and go away for longer than pre-covid, to make up for two years of lost travel. This is very positive news for the travel industry after two tough years through the pandemic.
“Our customers are prioritising hassle-free breaks where they can relax and be looked after this year. I would encourage anyone who is looking to get away this summer who has not yet booked, to consider doing so soon, so they can look forward to a much needed summer break whether at home or abroad.”
The research is taken from Marriott Bonvoy’s Joy of Travel report, conducted amongst 14,000 consumers in Europe and the Middle East. Marriott Bonvoy is encouraging travellers to remember the joy, re-connection and appreciation of the world that travel brings – whether they want to explore new destinations or return to old favourites.