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Wego data shows nearly 80% of travellers are booking solo trips
Saudi traveller habits are undergoing change in 2025, with recent booking data revealing a rise in solo journeys, a preference for culture-rich experiences and the emergence of new destinations in Europe and Asia.
That’s according to Middle East travel platform Wego, which has spotlighted five key trends that are shaping how Saudi travellers explore the world.
1 Solo travel Chief among these is the steady rise in solo travel, with the latest data showing nearly 4 in 5 travellers (78.82%) have booked to journey alone this summer, up 2.5% from 76.32% during Ramadan 2024.
This upward shift reflects a growing appetite among younger Saudis for independent journeys, driven by “personal exploration, study and business opportunities”, reports Wego.
2 High-end accommodation Luxury also continues to shape Saudi choices when travelling internationally. Five-star hotels account for 40.92% of bookings, while four-star properties make up 32.22%, reflecting strong demand for high-end accommodation and premium experiences.
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3 European destinations When it comes to destinations, Egypt, India, Pakistan and Türkiye continue to top the search rankings for Saudi travellers this summer.
While Egypt remains the top choice, accounting for nearly half of all summer bookings due to its close proximity and ease of travel, Pakistan has seen a notable 4.78% year-on-year increase in interest, despite the 21.29% rise in airfares.
The UAE, which was among the most booked destinations for Saudis last year, has been edged out of the top four in 2025, and this year sees a noticeable uptick in searches for European countries, including nearby destinations Georgia and Azerbaijan, as well as perennial favourite Italy.
Armenia is also gaining traction, with a 142.68% jump in searches following its decision to waive visa requirements for Saudi citizens starting July 2025.
4 Vietnam as emerging destination Asian hotspots such as Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines are also drawing more Saudi travellers in 2025, but it is Vietnam that has emerged as a breakout destination, recording a 322.43% surge in search volume.
This is largely thanks to the increase in luxury halal-compliant resorts and a dramatic drop in airfares, with round-trip flights available for as low as SAR1,400, a significant decrease compared to previous years.
5 Experience-led holidays This rising interest in destinations such as Vietnam and Armenia aligns with the growing demand for authentic, experience-led holidays that offer deeper engagement with local traditions and communities, as well as being value for money.
“Summer 2025 reflects this transformation in travel behaviour, where the focus is not just on the destination itself, but on the richness of the journey,” said Mamoun Hmidan, Chief Business Officer at Wego.
“We are witnessing a clear shift among Saudi travellers toward discovering destinations that offer deeper cultural and experiential value,” said Mamoun Hmidan, Chief Business Officer at Wego.
For more information, visit www.wego.com
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