Wego: 96% of Eid Al-Adha travel searches target international destinations
Saudi Arabia's Eid Al-Adha holiday drives 96% surge in international travel searches, with top destinations spanning culturally linked and emerging global hotspots.
As Saudi Arabia prepares for an extended Eid Al-Adha holiday from Thursday, June 5 (Dhul Hijjah 9) through Monday, June 9 (Dhul Hijjah 13), travel activity across the Kingdom is witnessing a significant surge. Citizens and residents alike are seizing the opportunity to explore a variety of destinations, ranging from global cities with deep cultural ties to domestic hotspots rich in natural and spiritual heritage.
According to the latest insights from Wego, the number one travel app and largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), there has been a remarkable shift towards international travel. A staggering 96.12% of Eid Al-Adha-related travel searches from Saudi users are for international trips, a notable increase from 87.34% during the same period last year. This trend reflects a growing appetite among Saudi travelers for global experiences, buoyed by the extended public holiday and facilitated entry requirements.
Strong Preference for Culturally Linked Destinations
Wego data reveals that countries with longstanding familial and cultural ties to the Kingdom continue to dominate search trends. Egypt, India, the UAE, Pakistan, Türkiye, and Bangladesh top the list, highlighting a preference for destinations where travelers can reunite with family and celebrate Eid in a spiritually familiar setting.
European destinations such as Italy, Azerbaijan, the United Kingdom, Georgia, and Russia are also rising in popularity. These countries offer a compelling mix of cooler climates, scenic views, and historical richness. In Asia, Saudi travelers are increasingly drawn to Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Japan, which offer immersive nature escapes, wellness experiences, and family-friendly resorts.
Domestic Travel Retains Its Appeal
While international destinations are gaining prominence, domestic travel continues to play a significant role in Eid plans for Saudi citizens. Jeddah, Riyadh, Madinah, Dammam, and Abha remain among the most searched local destinations. These cities attract visitors with their festive atmospheres, cultural events, and temperate weather—particularly in Abha—along with providing unique spiritual experiences in cities such as Madinah.
Cultural Exploration Drives Destination Choices
Cultural tourism is emerging as a key factor in travel decisions. Cities like Istanbul, Cairo, Jakarta, and Tbilisi are increasingly favored for their rich blend of Islamic heritage sites, historical landmarks, and vibrant local life. According to Wego, these destinations resonate strongly with Saudi travelers seeking authenticity and meaningful cultural engagement during the Eid season.
Simplified Access to Global Travel for Saudi Citizens
The growing preference for international travel is significantly supported by simplified visa policies for Saudi passport holders. Türkiye, Thailand, Georgia, the Philippines, and Malaysia currently offer visa-free access. Meanwhile, other popular destinations provide efficient electronic visa systems, visa waivers (such as the UK's Electronic Travel Authorization), or visa-on-arrival facilities, making it easier than ever for travelers to make spontaneous plans.
Expert Travel Tips from Wego
To help travelers make the most of the Eid holiday, Wego recommends planning and booking at least a month in advance. Setting up fare alerts and utilizing flexible date searches can lead to significant savings. For those planning closer to the holiday, the platform offers real-time deals and last-minute hotel booking options, catering to both families and individual travelers.
Wego continues to invest in smart booking technologies, real-time price comparisons, and a robust partner network comprising airlines, hotels, and rental providers. These tools empower users to craft personalized, seamless, and cost-effective travel experiences that cater to diverse travel styles and preferences.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Travel Daily News
11-06-2025
- Travel Daily News
Τhe Queen Elizabeth 2 enriches its heritage attractions
Dubai's QE2 hotel launches new heritage exhibits, offering immersive experiences that celebrate the vessel's historic legacy and maritime grandeur. Τhe Queen Elizabeth 2, one of Dubai's most treasured landmarks and the only floating hotel of its kind in the region, has unveiled two exceptional additions to its onboard heritage experience: QE2 Making Headlines and QE2 Majestic Moments. The launch was officiated by Mark Sawkins, Vice President Operations, Luxury Brands, Accor; and Ferghal Purcell, General Manager of the Queen Elizabeth 2 Hotel. Set against the backdrop of one of the most storied vessels in the world, these two installations provide guests and visitors with a deeper, more immersive encounter with the history of the QE2, a liner that defined an era of luxury ocean travel and hosted some of the greatest names of the 20th century. Ferghal Purcell, General Manager of the Queen Elizabeth 2 Hotel, stated: 'The QE2 is more than just a ship, it is a floating museum of memories, a vessel of stories that span generations. With these new attractions, we aim to bring our rich legacy to life, from her royal beginnings to her iconic status as a global voyager, in ways that are interactive, educational, and emotionally engaging. Whether you are a maritime enthusiast, a student of history, or a curious traveller, the QE2 offers an experience like no other in the region. With these additions, we invite guests to relive her most iconic moments and celebrate the timeless grandeur of maritime history – right here in the heart of Dubai.' The Queen Elizabeth 2 continues to draw guests from around the world who wish to step into a chapter of history. The new attractions mark the latest milestone in an ongoing effort to preserve, interpret, and celebrate the ship's legacy. QE2 Making Headlines QE2 Making Headlines showcases a priceless collection of original, special edition publications from 1969 highligting the ship's global impact and royal significance from the very beginning. These framed newspapers showcase the global coverage including the fanfare and grandeur that surrounded her maiden voyage. The exhibit offers a rare glimpse into how the Queen Elizabeth 2 was celebrated as a modern marvel, a new era of ocean travel immortalised in print. QE2 Majestic Moments QE2 Majestic Moments is an immersive, multimedia storytelling experience that transports guests through the ship's legendary timeline. Through a curated selection of archival images, rare videos, and historical narratives, this installation brings to life the most iconic milestones in QE2's journey, from royal visits and record-breaking voyages to celebrity guests and world events. Designed as an interactive tribute, it invites viewers to pause, reflect, and connect with the ship's rich past in a way that's both informative and emotionally resonant. It's not just a display, it's a moving portrait of a liner that changed the course of maritime history. The heritage exhibits are now open to all hotel guests as part of the QE2's onboard experience. Guided heritage tours are available daily, offering guests a glimpse into the ship's royal past, its design brilliance, and its legendary voyages across the globe. Heritage Tours Step aboard the iconic Queen Elizabeth 2 and explore her storied past through four unique guided tour experiences. QE2 Heritage Tour: A classic guided experience taking guests through the ship's most historic spaces, sharing the stories, design, and moments that shaped her legacy. Available daily at 11:00 am and 5:00 pm. 11:00 am and 5:00 pm. QE2 Heritage Tour for Schools: Specially designed for student groups, this educational tour runs on weekday mornings at 8:30 am and 9:30 am, with a maximum of 30 students per session. Advance booking is required. QE2 Royal Afternoon Tea & Heritage Tour: Pair your heritage journey with the QE2 Royal Afternoon Tea experience at the Queen's Grill, available on Fridays and Saturdays from 3:00 pm and 6:30 pm (last seating at 5:00pm). QE2 Dine & Discover: Combine the Heritage Tour with either a three-course lunch or buffet dinner for a complete culinary and cultural experience aboard Dubai's most iconic vessel. Available daily at 11:00 am and 5:00 pm.
Travel Daily News
09-06-2025
- Travel Daily News
Tripadvisor's Index: Cancun and Las Vegas the top destinations
New report by Tripadvisor suggests an increased Interest in international travel among US travelers and Gen Z. NEEDHAM, MASS. – Tripadvisor predicts a busy travel season according to the brand's annual Summer Travel Index, released today, with 63% indicating excitement for the upcoming travel season. Tripadvisor's Summer Travel Index uncovers the top and trending summer destinations for 2025, with the most popular locations from 2024 still leading the way again for US travelers such as Las Vegas and Cancun. Now trending for summer 2025 are cities including Fort Walton Beach, Florida and Punta Sam, Mexico which topped the list. New data from the report also shows that Gen Z and Millennials are 38% more likely to travel both domestically and internationally compared to Gen X and Boomers. Summer Travel Index: 2025 Top Summer Travel Destinations This year's data indicates that US travelers are looking for a blend of bustling city activities and laid-back beach vacations for their summer travels both internationally and domestically. Top global summer travel destinations for US citizens include: Cancun, Mexico Paris, France London, United Kingdom Top domestic summer travel destinations for US citizens include: Las Vegas, Nevada New York City , New York Myrtle Beach, South Carolina For all destinations that top the Summer Travel Index for American travelers, see below. Popular International Destinations – US Travelers Popular Domestic Destinations – US Travelers Cancun, Mexico Las Vegas, Nevada Paris, France New York City, New York London, United Kingdom Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Rome, Italy Ocean City, Maryland Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Chicago, Illinois Punta Cana, Dominican Republic Honolulu, Hawai'i Barcelona, Spain Panama City Beach, Florida Oranjestad, Aruba Key West, Florida Venice, Italy Clearwater, Florida Cap Cana, Dominican Republic Nashville, Tennessee For international trends, four of the top ten trending destinations for US travelers are in the Caribbean, with 51% of travelers citing that their primary reason to travel is to relax and rejuvenate. While Florida dominates the list of trending domestic locations for US travelers with four inclusions on the top ten list, remote areas like Big Sur and Moran, Wyoming are trending as 38% of travelers seek to enjoy nature on their summer travels. For all trending destinations that top the Summer Travel Index for American travelers, see below. Fastest Growing International Destinations – US Travelers (Based on YoY growth) Fastest Growing Domestic Destinations – US Travelers (Based on YoY growth) Punta Sam, Mexico Fort Walton Beach, Florida Noord, Aruba Isle of Palms, South Carolina Puerto Rico, Spain Big Sur, California Cap Estate, St. Lucia North Wildwood, New Jersey Goreme, Türkiye Dewey Beach, Delaware Akumal, Mexico York Beach, Maine Asakusa, Japan Moran, Wyoming Krakow, Poland St. Augustine Beach, Florida Lucea, Jamaica Panama City Beach, Florida Bonaire, Caribbean Fort Myers Beach, Florida Opting for Experiences Activities and experiences are a top priority for travelers of all ages, with 83% reporting that it's an important part of their travel budget. Most travelers (89%) are planning up to five activities. Gen Z respondents are more likely to book six or more activities compared to older age group respondents (14% versus older age group average of 9%). Similarly, Gen Z and Millennials are leading the charge on those most likely to travel in general. While every generation prioritizes relaxation, older respondents do so more than younger ones: 56% of older generations (Boomers and Gen X) versus 47% for Millennials and Gen Z. Conversely, younger respondents are significantly more likely to want to have an adventure and explore different cultures than older generations. 'Summer travel is all about making memories with friends, family and loved ones – and planning those special trips is a highlight of the year for so many travelers,' said Hilary Fischer-Groban, Head of Research & Insights at Tripadvisor. 'Whether it's exploring the unique cultural sights of a new country, playing and relaxing on a beach, or booking an outing like a guided tour or boat ride, taking advantage of local experiences while traveling helps make memories that will last a lifetime. Tripadvisor reviews can help guide travelers to find the best of the best experiences to round out their trip.' It's All in the Plan Planning ahead with a travel guidance platform like Tripadvisor helps ensure travel plans run smoothly and that experiences go according to plan. In fact, 57% of travelers report that they will book activities ahead of their vacations, and Gen Z and millennials are 78% more likely to book on-trip activities in advance (71% vs 40% older age groups). While on their trip, Boomers are more likely to ask locals for recommendations (38%) while Gen Z are more likely to go to social media (51%) to round out their itinerary. The top trending experience categories for 2025 are cultural and themed tours, outdoor activities including things like hiking and horseriding, and cruises, sailing and water tours. Booking accommodations is also a factor in the planning process. Younger respondents (Gen Z and Millennials, 30% average) are more likely to stay in vacation rentals than older respondents (Gen X and Boomers, 21% average), who favor hotels. 'With experiences and stays available through Tripadvisor, planning your summer travels in one easy-to-use platform simplifies the scheduling process and lets users focus on their getaway,' said Fischer-Groban. 'Tripadvisor's billion-plus reviews and contributions will help travelers decide how best to maximize their valuable vacation days.' Popular International Travel Experiences – US Travelers Popular Domestic Travel Experiences – US Travelers Chichen Itza, Cenote, and Valladolid Tour – Cancun, Mexico Fountains of Bellagio – Las Vegas, Nevada Paris Walking Food Tour with Secrets Food Tours – Paris, France New York in One Day Guided Sightseeing Tour – New York, New York Stonehenge, Windsor Castle & Bath from London – London, United Kingdom Myrtle Beach State Park – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Methodology The data cited in this release was gathered and analyzed from two key sources: A Tripadvisor Consumer Sentiment Survey, based on data drawn from an online survey of over 2,800 consumers, in partnership with Qualtrics, conducted between March 26, 2025 and April 8, 2025 across six countries, including Australia , France , Japan , Singapore , U.K. & U.S. and across six countries, including , , , , U.K. & U.S. Site behavioral data sourced from first party traffic data on the Tripadvisor platform for searches made by travelers in the U.S., U.K. and Japan between February 1 – April 10, 2025 for travel between June 1 – August 31, 2025 .
Travel Daily News
06-06-2025
- Travel Daily News
Religious travel trends in Saudi Arabia: Pilgrimage to Mecca 2025
Mabrian's latest data reveals the growing travel impact of Hajj 2025, with over 151.6 million flight seats scheduled to Mecca, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – a 1.2 million seats increase compared to 2024 festivities. BARCELONA, SPAIN – As one of the largest annual gatherings in the world, Hajj 2025 is expected to attract millions of Muslim pilgrims to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, from June 4th to June 8th. In anticipation of this sacred journey, Mabrian, the global travel intelligence company part of The Data Appeal Company – Almawave Group, reveals new insights into the global travel impact of the event – shedding light on air connectivity, travel patterns, accommodation choices, and visitor profiles. The data helps quantify the significance of this religious pilgrimage as a major travel and tourism phenomenon. Over 151.6 million airline seats are scheduled to Mecca for Hajj 2025: Scheduled air availability to travel between June 1st and 9th, increase by 3.2% year-over-year, and by +1,2 Million (+0.8%) compared to last year's Hajj, which took place from June 14th to 19th. Most top 10 source markets show increased air connectivity, with Brazil (+8.2%) and Germany (+3.4%) among the highest: Compared to Hajj 2024, nearly all of the top 10 source markets by air connectivity have shown slight increases: the United States (+0.1%), India (+0.6%), Japan (+3.2%), Spain (+2.7%), United Kingdom (+1%), Germany (+3.4%), Türkiye (+4%), Italy (+0.6%), and Brazil (+8.2%). The only exception is China, which saw a 3% decline in seat availability. Among countries with large Muslim population, Malaysia (+12.6%) and Egypt (+8.5%) lead in increased seat availability: Among countries with significant Muslim populations, air capacity changes vary. Compared to 2024, Indonesia shows a decline of -8.6%, while Malaysia (+12.6%), Egypt (+8.5%), Ethiopia (+5.1%), and Pakistan (+4.8%) all show positive growth in seat availability. Average stays range from 1.8 nights (domestic) to 3.1 nights (international), with most travellers choosing hotels (88%): The average length of stay is 2.3 nights, with longer durations for international visitors – Egyptians (3.1 nights), Malaysians (2.8), Indonesians (3.1), and British travellers (2.5), whereas domestic visitors average shorter stays of 1.8 nights. In terms of lodging, 88% of visitors stay in hotels, while 12% opt for apartments or alternative accommodations. Among hotel guests, 35.2% stay in 5-star hotels, 28% in 4-star, 19.5% in 3-star, and 17.3% use alternative accommodation. Hotel guests are mostly couples (50.5%), while apartment users prefer group accommodations: Hotel guests in Mecca during Hajj are mainly couples (50.5%), with 22.3% being families, 15.1% groups of friends or extended families, and 12.1% solo travellers. Apartment users show different behaviours; in fact, 52.1% book properties for 3–5 guests, 20.6% choose larger accommodations for over 5 people, 25% book for 2 people, and 2.3% are solo travellers. 'Hajj is not only a profound spiritual journey, but also a major global travel event,' says Carlos Cendra, Partner and Director of Marketing & Communications at Mabrian. 'Our data highlights how destinations, airlines, and accommodation providers may adapt to the evolving needs of religious travellers , a key and growing segment globally.'
