JEDDAH: The director of the Tourist Information and Research Center at the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, Munther Al-Ansari, has revealed that an estimated number of 5.798 million residents in the Kingdom went on holiday last year, of which 3.7 million were Saudis, who spent around SR11.2 billion, while expatriates spent approximately SR1.5 million.
He noted that recent data showed that the tourists stayed on average for 11 days outside the Kingdom, with an average spending of SR291 per night per person, taking the total value of spending among tourists normally residing in the Kingdom to SR16 billion during the first quarter of 2016.
Al-Ansari added that the data confirms that Gulf states stayed at the top of tourist destinations, taking in a percentage of 60 percent of all travelers, followed by Middle Eastern countries with 19 percent, South East Asia with 11 percent, the Pacific countries with 3 percent while 7 percent went to other countries.
Tourist expert Basma Humaidi said this year witnessed a decrease in international bookings, especially during the summer because of global and local economic circumstances. This decrease occurred despite the discounts on both international and domestic trips.
She added that international bookings decreased 50 percent in most Arab countries, in particular in Egypt and Jordan in comparison with the summer of 2015. Bookings to Turkey decreased 20 percent, while South East Asia, excluding Malaysia, decreased 40 percent. Dubai maintained its status relative to the bookings achieved last year, while bookings to Europe increased by 60 percent.
He noted that recent data showed that the tourists stayed on average for 11 days outside the Kingdom, with an average spending of SR291 per night per person, taking the total value of spending among tourists normally residing in the Kingdom to SR16 billion during the first quarter of 2016.
Al-Ansari added that the data confirms that Gulf states stayed at the top of tourist destinations, taking in a percentage of 60 percent of all travelers, followed by Middle Eastern countries with 19 percent, South East Asia with 11 percent, the Pacific countries with 3 percent while 7 percent went to other countries.
Tourist expert Basma Humaidi said this year witnessed a decrease in international bookings, especially during the summer because of global and local economic circumstances. This decrease occurred despite the discounts on both international and domestic trips.
She added that international bookings decreased 50 percent in most Arab countries, in particular in Egypt and Jordan in comparison with the summer of 2015. Bookings to Turkey decreased 20 percent, while South East Asia, excluding Malaysia, decreased 40 percent. Dubai maintained its status relative to the bookings achieved last year, while bookings to Europe increased by 60 percent.
