Saudi Arabia’s Outbound Luxury Travel Set for a Boost as Kingdom Business & Luxury Travel Congress Kicks Off in Riyadh

Monday, September 16, 2024

QnA International, based in Dubai, is set to host the 3rd edition of the Kingdom Business & Luxury Travel (KBLT) Congress on September 25-26, 2024, at the Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention. This prestigious event, exclusively curated to connect global markets with Saudi travelers, aims to redefine the future of outbound luxury and business travel from the Kingdom.

As Saudi Arabia’s outbound travel market is projected to surpass $43 billion by 2025, the KBLT Congress will be pivotal in fostering connections between international travel providers—ranging from tourism boards and luxury accommodations to airlines and cruise lines—and key influencers in the Kingdom’s corporate, business, and luxury travel spheres. According to Seera Group’s research, Saudi travelers expect exceptional quality, and KBLT 2024 will gather high-level decision-makers from ministries, private offices, outbound travel agencies, corporate sectors, and high-net-worth individuals to cater to these elevated standards.

Looking at the ever-evolving trends of Saudi travelers, Saudi travel companies have been on the constant lookout for unique experiences. City of Dreams Mediterranean Costandinos Christofi, Senior Sales Manager – Leisure, said, “We recognize that the sentiment of a Saudi traveler is to create long-lasting memories built from experiences and exposure to the culture and heritage of the destination they select. Travelers from the GCC region are also looking for destinations that respect their cultural values and dietary needs.”

He added, “Data shows that Saudi travelers have last-minute booking tendencies with reservations as late as the same week of travel, we also see from discussions with Tour Operators and Travel professionals that their clients are exploring more unique destinations over the summer months while trying to escape the summer heat. The spending habits of a Saudi traveler are also typically higher than a European traveler as they will prefer to indulge in high-quality accommodation and amenities. As a newly developed property City of Dreams Mediterranean adapts to the needs of these travelers by offering the highest quality accommodation, gourmet dining options, music concerts, and family-friendly facilities for the discerning traveler while being only minutes away from the cosmopolitan core of Limassol.”

Festim Hasanaj, Co-Founder of Destination Complete reaffirmed these opinions, “We understand the specific needs of the Saudi traveler, related to their religion and culture, and activate programs and services accordingly to ensure the best outcome when visiting our region. We are seeing a more open mind to discover new destinations, especially colder regions. Northern Lights are also becoming increasingly more popular. We work closely with our partners in identifying opportunities to tap into this growing demand while ensuring that all facilities and services are appropriate for the Saudi traveler. As we believe the Saudi travelers are adapting and understanding the difference between our region’s properties when it comes to simplicity vs. opulence, we make sure to provide the elevated luxury element within Scandinavian simplicity.”

Highlighting travelers’ growing interest in exploring the pristine Georgian landscape, Natali Oniani, Business Development Junior Coordinator from the Georgian National Tourism Administration, pointed out, “There is a notable shift towards destinations that offer unique experiences, cultural richness, and exclusivity. Saudi travelers are increasingly drawn to locations that provide not just luxury, but also personalized and immersive experiences. This includes a growing interest in nature-based tourism, wellness retreats, and destinations that offer privacy and high-end amenities. Another emerging trend is the increased focus on sustainable and eco-friendly travel. Saudi travelers, especially younger generations, are becoming more conscious of their environmental impact and are seeking out destinations that prioritize sustainability. By staying attuned to these evolving trends, Georgia is not only meeting the current demands of Saudi travelers but also positioning itself as a preferred destination for those seeking a blend of luxury, culture, and nature.”

Talking about the spending habits, she added, “In terms of spending habits, there is a clear move towards higher spending on premium experiences and services. This includes luxury accommodations, bespoke travel experiences, and exclusive tours. Saudi travelers are willing to invest more in destinations that offer a unique blend of comfort, cultural authenticity, and personalized service.”

Highlighting the very critical aspect of safety during travel, Jiman Jung, Regional Director of the Korea National Tourism Organization, said, “Saudi travelers prioritize safety and security, availability of halal food, modern downtowns, plush malls, theme parks, etc. In short, they prefer destinations that are 100% family-oriented where children can learn something, ladies carry on with shopping and men feel secure leaving their families behind. Korea meets all these requirements. We are noticing a 100% growth in arrivals from Saudi to Korea attributed partly to the availability of direct flights to Korea, visa-free arrival, a strong following for Korean music and drama, Gen Z, and millennials’ obsession with visiting a tech-savvy country.”

Sidh NC, Director, QnA International, concludes, “Outbound business travel from the Kingdom skyrocketed by 38% between 2022 and 2023 and as per several reports and Saudi outbound tourism market is expected to be more than US$43 billion by the end of 2025. Travel & Tourism now inject $80 billion annually into Saudi Arabia’s booming economy. Saudi luxury travel is expanding at 25% annually, drawing global interest. All these impressive statistics only strengthen our confidence to host the third of KBLT Congress in Saudi Arabia. Looking at the enthusiasm of participants, we can say with confidence that the tourism connoisseurs of Saudi are in for a great treat as this platform is set to offer them some pristine travel avenues that they have been looking to explore and create lasting memories.”

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