Family Travel Behaviours and Cultural Destinations are Among the Leading Travel Trends for KSA Travellers Residents in 2025

Hilton’s 2025 Travel Trends report highlights that travellers from Saudi Arabia are prioritising rest and relaxation, alongside reconnecting with friends and family

• 42% of Saudi leisure travellers plan to travel in the next year to rest and recharge
• When travelling with their children, 72% of Saudi travellers pick destinations that they wanted to visit as a child
• The main motivators of those that travel with their children include visiting places to build lasting memories (81%) and seeking out authentic local experiences (79%)
• Almost one in five (22%) Saudi leisure travellers often take their pets with them on holiday

RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – 07 November 2024 – Saudi Arabian travelers continue to demonstrate their passion for embarking on fulfilling adventures across the Kingdom or beyond in exotic and far-flung destinations worldwide. The Hilton 2025 Trends Report spotlights emerging travel themes worldwide, including Saudi Arabia. According to the report, people across the Kingdom remain enthusiastic about embarking on rewarding journeys and exploring the world, with 50% of Saudis planning to travel more for leisure over the next 12 months.

According to the report, the top two reasons people travel for leisure are recharging (42%) and spending quality time with friends and family (38%). Other popular reasons for travel include learning about the world and cultures (28%), enjoying one-of-a-kind experiences (26%), self-discovery and mental health (26%), discovering new locations (21%), and recreating memories from places they have visited before (19%).

Moreover, 71% of Saudi travelers admit to staying in bed for an entire day when traveling at least some of the time, with 40% doing so often!

HERITAGE AND LEISURE

Over the years, the Kingdom’s citizens and residents have garnered a reputation for being sophisticated travelers with an affinity for immersing themselves in their destinations’ rich traditions and heritage. One key motivation for leisure travel is learning about world cultures, with 28% of Saudi travellers pinpointing this as a factor they consider when booking a holiday. 

Interestingly, when traveling with children, nearly three in four (72%) Saudi travelers pick destinations they wanted to visit as a child. Places to build lasting memories (81%) remain high on the travel agenda, along with seeking out authentic local experiences (79%). People traveling with kids also make most of their travel decisions around their kids’ needs, with 74% of 35 to 49-year-olds and 66% of 18 to 34-year-olds letting their children select the restaurants they dine in.  Notably, approximately three-quarters of Saudis — aged 18-34 and 45-49 — opt for holiday destinations best suited to their children’s preferences. 

Pet-friendly travel is also on the rise, with one in five (22%) Saudi leisure travelers often taking their pets on holiday.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: ECO-CONSCIOUS TRAVELLERS KEEN TO MAKE SMART CHOICES

Minimizing environmental impact when traveling is increasingly important for Saudi travelers, with 82% saying it is important to minimize their environmental impact. Being informed also helps them to make better choices, with 78% of Saudi travelers believing it’s important to receive communications from the hotel about their sustainability program.

TRAVEL STAPLES: REST, RELAXATION AND A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP 

Rest during their holidays is among the reasons Saudi travelers plan to travel for leisure (42% say resting and recharging are top-of-mind). 84% of Saudi travelers say they want to feel pampered during their trips, while 72% are especially fond of spending entire days at the beach or by the pool.

THINKING AHEAD: FORWARD PLANNING FUELS FORWARD-LOOKING EXCITEMENT 

41% of Saudis say they will travel for leisure or personal reasons in 2025, and nearly a third (29%) have already booked at least one trip for the upcoming year. The vast majority (85%) want the ability to book a whole trip entirely online, and a similar number want to speak to someone if they have an issue or questions when booking (88%).

When traveling with their children, nearly four in five Saudi travelers (79%) often seek authentic local experiences. 

Additionally, 79% of Saudi travelers like to have an agenda for each day of their trip.

“As a leading global hospitality brand, we know that a great stay matters most to customers,” said Simon Vincent, executive vice president and president of Europe Middle East and Africa. “Our 2025 Trends Report shows that resting and recharging continue to be primary motivators to travel, and exploring nostalgic destinations with family and friends is on the rise. Hilton is committed to providing great stays for any occasion, anywhere our guests want to travel. Of course, all underpinned by friendly and reliable service that guests have come to expect at any of our 8,000 hotels worldwide.”  

To read the full Hilton 2025 Trends Report and see how Saudi travelers compare to travelers across the world, visitStories.hilton.com/2025trends.