The surge is part of a broader trend across the GCC, where the travel and hospitality sectors are witnessing robust growth, experts say
Saudi Arabia is fast moving up the global travel and tourism chart, with international flight bookings to the Kingdom during the year-end-new year season recording an impressive 15 per cent jump.
More importantly, the country is also emerging as a major transit hub, with regional travel bookings posting a whopping 38 per cent surge during this year’s peak season, industry players said.
Beyond Saudi Arabia, the travel and hospitality sectors in the India-UAE corridor are also showing remarkable growth, with Dubai alone posting a whopping 75 per cent surge in travel bookings from India in the past year, as per the latest industry data.
“As Saudi Arabia enters its peak travel season, the region is witnessing a significant surge in both domestic and international travel,” Rikant Pittie, CEO and Co-Founder of EaseMyTrip, a leading online travel and hospitality platform operating in the GCC and India, told Arabian Business.
“The demand for domestic and international travel [to the Kingdom] is on the rise,” he said.
Pittie said this uptick highlights the growing allure of Saudi Arabia as a travel destination and a transit hub within the GCC region.
Leisure, business travel demand triggers spike in bookings
Industry players said the spike in flight bookings – both international and regional – is a clear reflection of the growing demand for both leisure and business travel to Saudi Arabia.
This surge is also part of a broader trend being witnessed across the GCC, where the travel and hospitality sectors are experiencing robust growth, they said.
The EaseMyTrip top executive said the surge in travel demand to Saudi Arabia – as also the wider GCC region – is fuelled by evolving travel preferences such as the increasing demand for ‘bleisure’ travel, where business trips are extended to enjoy the region’s rich cultural and leisure offerings.
The demand for domestic and international travel to the Kingdom is on the rise, Pittie said
“In particular, the India-UAE travel corridor continues to thrive, with flight traffic between the two regions witnessing a substantial increase [of late],” he said.
India, specifically, has become a key focus as the demand for leisure travel accelerates from GCC, mainly the UAE and Saudi Arabia, he said.
“The India-UAE route remains one of the most travelled, with significant increases in passenger traffic and bookings,” Pittie said.
This growth is mainly driven by strengthened bilateral relations, visa facilitation, and an increase in tourism and business travel, he said.
Region’s hospitality sector posied for major investments
Sector experts said the hospitality sector, too, is responding dynamically, with global chains like Hilton increasing their investments in the region.
Hilton’s commitment to quadrupling its hotel rooms in India over the next five years, they said, is indicative of the optimism surrounding the region’s booming tourism sector.
Pittie said: “As we look ahead to 2025, these trends are set to continue, with GCC nations solidifying their position as top destinations for both regional and international travellers.
“As the region continues to embrace new travel trends and invest in infrastructure, we expect these growth trajectories to accelerate, shaping a more connected, vibrant global travel ecosystem,” he said.
The GCC region is projected to see a rise in high-end, wellness-focused travel this year, experts said
Industry players said the convergence of tourism, business, and innovation in these markets presents exciting opportunities for both travellers and the hospitality industry.
Besides the rising trend of ‘bleisure’ travel, the region is also expected to see a rise in ‘eco-tourism’ this year on the back of the growing emphasis on sustainable travel practices and eco-friendly tourism initiatives.
Technology integration, with digital platforms using AI-driven personalisation is another major trend expected to shape how travellers plan and experience their journeys in 2025.
The GCC region is also projected to see a rise in high-end, wellness-focused travel this year, industry players said.
