KSA Travellers Swap Long Breaks for High-Spend Getaways
A growing number of Saudi residents chose short yet luxurious international holidays during the recent Eid Al Adha break, as data revealed a 25 percent rise in outbound travel from the Kingdom compared to last year. Visa's latest Travel Pulse report shows that nearly 7 in 10 KSA travellers preferred quick getaways over extended vacations, with shopping emerging as the dominant driver of spend.
Retail focus abroad
The UAE attracted the largest share of Saudi travellers, drawing 14 percent of all outbound tourists and accounting for nearly a quarter of the total international spending. Fashion and luxury brands dominated their purchases, with seven of the top ten merchants falling under the shopping and apparel category. Popular spending outlets included Dubai Duty Free, Cartier, and Hermes.
On average, each Saudi visitor to the UAE spent $635 using Visa cards. Dining and entertainment were also major attractions, though shopping remained the focal point. Turkey came second as a preferred destination, capturing 9 percent of KSA travellers and 15 percent of overall holiday spend. Visitors to Turkey spent slightly more on average, with a per-card spend of $653.
The UK, though attracting only 6 percent of travellers, recorded the highest average spend per card at $839, underscoring the country's strong appeal for high-end retail and luxury experiences.
Pilgrim-driven growth at home
While outbound travel surged, the Kingdom also welcomed a significant number of inbound visitors for the Hajj season. According to Visa, foreign pilgrim arrivals rose by 7 percent over the previous year, contributing to a 16 percent increase in spending inside Saudi Arabia.
This growth was driven by everyday essentials. Food, medicine, and basic necessities formed the bulk of purchases by pilgrims, while spending on travel-related services and clothing remained relatively low. Overall in-Kingdom spending rose by 4 percent.
Spending trends shift
Ali Bailoun, Visa's Regional General Manager for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman, said having simple and secure payment options remains critical during religious and leisure travel alike. He added that Visa aims to support the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goals by offering reliable cross-border payment experiences that encourage both domestic and international travel activity.
Planning for next time
Visa also issued recommendations to help businesses tap into this evolving travel-spend behaviour. These include exclusive cardholder partnerships, early booking rewards, and strengthening local staycation offers.
With consumer behaviour during Eid now showing a clear divide between indulgent foreign escapes and essential spending at home, the season is no longer just a time for reflection but also a key moment in the region's economic calendar.
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