Travellers in Saudi Arabia are choosing the same holiday destinations year after year, returning to favourite destinations post pandemic, according to new research from Marriott Bonvoy, the travel loyalty programme that encompasses hotels, resorts, home rentals and experiences across 30 brands in 138 countries.
Many have always favoured repeat trips and home comforts
Whilst the pandemic has had a key impact on people’s travel plans, according to the figures many Saudi Arabians habitually favour returning to the same destinations year after year rather than trying new places. A third (30%) per cent say they have been back on holiday to the same country five times or more, whilst 12% have visited the same country ten times or more.
Why do so many people keep returning to the same place on holiday when presented with a world of options? The research found that for many, home comforts are key, with one in three (33%) saying it is important that they can get familiar food. Fifteen per cent like to go somewhere where they will be able to meet other people from their home country and 14% say that it’s important that they can find sports from Saudi Arabia on television.
A fifth (20%) like the comfort of knowing exactly what to expect whilst 12% admit they are simply ‘not very adventurous’. This is despite the vast majority of respondents (95%) acknowledging that they feel they lose some of the benefit of a holiday by returning to previously visited destinations.
Saudi Arabians travellers seek the familiar post-lockdown
The figures show that just than one in five (21%) of those going abroad plan to visit somewhere new for their post-lockdown holiday. Egypt will be the number one destination for those from Saudi Arabia for their next getaway, with a third (33%) of those planning a holiday abroad intending to visit the country.
However, nine in ten (87%) say they have gone on holiday to Egypt previously. Meanwhile two thirds (67%) have been there multiple times.
The UAE will be the second most popular destination for post-pandemic breaks amongst Saudi Arabians travelling abroad (29%), followed by Turkey (18%), Maldives (15%) and Austria (12%). In total, 84% say they will be going on holiday in the next 12 months. Eight per cent plan not to, whilst the same amount (8%) remain unsure.
It appears that lockdown has had an impact on where Saudi Arabians are choosing to go for their post-lockdown holidays. More than half (51%) say the pandemic has led to them being less confident in visiting new places. Amongst those who do not plan to go away 45% say that this is specifically due to a lack of confidence in travel post-Covid.
The aim of the research is to look into how open Saudi Arabian travellers are to trying new holiday destinations in the next year, and will take the opportunity to explore and discover somewhere new as travel becomes easier once again.
Neal Jones, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Marriott International – Europe, Middle East & Africa: “We know there is pent-up demand for travel and this research demonstrates the impact the pandemic is continuing to have on global travel trends. The figures suggest that post-pandemic, Saudi Arabian holiday makers are seeking out tried and trusted destinations where they know exactly what to expect – to be able to make the most out of a long-awaited holiday abroad and to avoid any surprises after 18 months of turmoil and uncertainty.
“Whilst we love welcoming back repeat guests into our hotels and resorts, travel also offers us all the opportunity to expand our horizons and immerse ourselves in new cultures and experiences. Visiting new countries while staying in hotels and resorts that are part of a trusted portfolio of brands gives travellers the opportunity to try something new, but with the confidence and reassurance of staying with an established travel programme like Marriott Bonvoy.”
The research is taken from Marriott Bonvoy’s Joy of Travel report, conducted amongst 14,000 consumers in the Middle East and Europe.
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