Riyadh - Mubasher: The latest travel trends report from Almosafer, the Middle East’s leading travel company, revealed a strong 44% growth in domestic bookings for 2024, making a significant contribution (over 40%) to the overall travel landscape in Saudi Arabia.

Almosafer explained in its report issued today, Tuesday, that this growth reflects the rapid and increasing development in tourism offerings in the Kingdom, as it encourages travelers to explore their country for entertainment purposes thanks to the expansion of travel destinations, unique accommodation experiences, and other diverse experiences .

According to the report, Almosafer noted that family and group bookings emerged as a major factor in driving the growth of domestic tourism, achieving growth of more than 70%, noting that tourist groups increasingly prefer destinations that offer travel opportunities rich in experiences and events.

“While popular cities such as Makkah, Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar and Madinah remain a core focus of travel plans, emerging destinations are gaining popularity, including Abha with its cool climate and mountain views, Jubail with its pristine beaches, Jazan with its coastal appeal, Tabuk with its stunning landscapes and Hail with its adventurous desert terrain. The growth of these emerging destinations reflects the ongoing investment in the Kingdom’s tourism infrastructure, opening up exciting prospects for leisure travellers,” he continued.

The report also highlighted the growing diversity in traveller preferences when it comes to accommodation options, with luxury accommodation dominating the scene, with five-star properties accounting for 36% of total hotel nights booked.

Economy accommodation in three-star and below-class tourist facilities witnessed a significant increase, representing 35% of the total nights booked, noting that this category of facilities witnessed a significant growth of 100% in the volume of bookings for families and groups, reflecting the increasing trend towards economic travel for groups, according to the report.

Al-Musafir pointed out that the popularity of alternative accommodation facilities such as hotel apartments has increased due to their flexibility and reasonable prices. Family bookings in this category have increased by 90%, while group bookings have increased by 60%. These options have become more widely available throughout the Kingdom, providing suitable accommodation options, especially for large groups .

The report also highlighted the continued rise in demand for travel via low-cost airlines, driven by increased capacity, expanded air connectivity, and the increasing number of routes and destinations offered by these airlines. This has made low-cost airlines more attractive to travelers, and while flight routes increased by 45% overall, average order value (AOV) fell by 7%, reflecting the impact of increased economic options .

At-destination activities are an increasingly important component of the travel experience, with guided tours, adventure sports and cultural experiences becoming integral parts of travel itineraries. These activities enhance overall satisfaction and opportunities to connect with local communities, reinforcing the value of exceptional experiences.

The range of local activities has expanded dramatically to cater to different interests and preferences, giving travelers more options than ever before, which has increased people’s demand, seeking experiences that align with their passion to build richer and more personalized travel memories .

In terms of preferred booking methods, app bookings saw a 67% increase in 2024, accounting for 76% of total bookings, reflecting the increasing reliance on mobile platforms, followed by website bookings with a 17% share, with a 7% growth in volume.

In contrast, while retail bookings represent a smaller share of 7%, they still play an important role in serving travelers with more complex and typically higher-value bookings, who prefer personalized assistance and dedicated support. As such, this sales channel remains relevant amid the increasing shift to digital solutions .

The development of the payment system contributed to a tangible shift in booking trends during 2024. The spread of flexible payment methods, especially the “buy now, pay later” option, enabled travelers to spread costs over time, which increased the ability to travel and manage their expenses. In addition, the Apple Pay service strengthened its position as a preferred payment option, as it represented 44% of the total domestic bookings processed through the platform during 2024, according to the “Almosafer” report.

Muzammil Hussain, CEO of Almosafer, said that these tourism trends are perfectly aligned with the government’s vision to enhance value-added within destinations and increase domestic tourism as part of Vision 2030.

The growth of domestic tourism and the boom in family and group travel, including unique accommodation experiences and rich activities within destinations, reflects the national agenda to build a thriving leisure tourism sector that contributes significantly to the economy, Hussein added.

He added: “Almosafer plays a pivotal role in supporting the local ecosystem through innovative booking platforms, tailor-made travel packages, and flexible payment solutions. We are committed to empowering travelers and contributing to achieving the goals of economic diversification and sustainable tourism growth .”

Almosafer noted in its report that the increasing diversity of tourism offerings in the Kingdom caters to a wide range of interests and preferences, as the dynamic and evolving tourism scene in the Kingdom encourages domestic travelers to explore lesser-known destinations, stimulates repeat visits, and people seek new and unique experiences that remain in memory. The sector remains poised for sustainable growth and innovation, benefiting both the most famous destinations and emerging destinations alike .