JEDDAH: This summer, Saudis may not be spending vacations in Europe to avoid backlash from the rising Islamophobia there.
Most Saudis will prefer to visit Turkey and South Asian countries this time, according to tourism experts. In the last three years, more than 7.5 million Arab tourists have traveled to Turkey instead of going to Europe.
During the January-July 2015 period, Saudi Arabians topped the list of the number of Arab tourists visiting Istanbul with 254,825 people.
Several European cities suffered from a number of terrorist incidents that created a negative impact on Muslims. The issue of Syrian refugees has also contributed to the phenomenon of Islamophobia.
Naser Al-Tayyar, chairman of Al-Tayyar Group for Travel and Tourism, said: “Saudis will not be willing to spend their summer vacations in European countries as a result of Islamophobia. Turkey and South Asia will be preferred alternative destination for Saudis.”
“The UK could be the most preferable European country … due to the low-level of Islamophobia in the country. Saudis are frequent visitors to London, which has many Arab residents. Therefore, Saudis would not face risks of Islamophobia,” he told Arab News.
However, Hind Khaled, owner of a tourism and travel agency said that Saudis abandoned the idea of travel to Dubai, Turkey or Malaysia because of many reasons, mainly the high weather temperatures in Dubai and the high cost of travel to Turkey. “This forced them to take advantage of the offers provided by travel agencies to some Western capitals,” she explained.
Abdulraheem Abdullah, the owner of another tourism and travel agency, said Europe tops the list of the most preferred travel destination for Saudis during this current summer vacation.
“About 60 percent of the total numbers of Saudis who want to spend the summer outside the Kingdom preferred to go to Europe this year, mainly to Austria, France, Germany and Switzerland because of the moderate weather in these countries in addition to the offers provided by airlines and hotels,” he added.
He confirmed that Indonesia was also added to the list of most preferred tourist destinations because of its mild climate and the existence of numerous family attractions, plus the low costs of travel to the country which are affordable for hundreds of Saudi families who intend to spend between 14 to 30 days there.
Ahmad bin Mesfer, also an owner of a tourist and travel agency said many Saudis have chosen new travel destinations such as Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“These countries have become a popular tourist destination especially in the summer because of the mild weather and the breathtaking nature and landscape,” he added.
He said most Saudis will divide their vacation into three sections with the first to begin before Ramadan to neighboring Gulf countries. The long vacation will begin during Eid Al-Fitr when a large number of citizens preferred to go to Austria, the USA, Turkey, Malaysia and London. “The third and last section will be during the Haj period where many prefer to go to South Africa, Malaysia, Turkey and Greece,” he explained.
Monzer Al-Ansari, director of the statistic information center at the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, said that it is too early to determine Saudis’ tourism destinations for this summer. However, Islamophobia in Europe will play an essential role in changing Saudis’ plans to spend their vacations abroad.
Most Saudis will prefer to visit Turkey and South Asian countries this time, according to tourism experts. In the last three years, more than 7.5 million Arab tourists have traveled to Turkey instead of going to Europe.
During the January-July 2015 period, Saudi Arabians topped the list of the number of Arab tourists visiting Istanbul with 254,825 people.
Several European cities suffered from a number of terrorist incidents that created a negative impact on Muslims. The issue of Syrian refugees has also contributed to the phenomenon of Islamophobia.
Naser Al-Tayyar, chairman of Al-Tayyar Group for Travel and Tourism, said: “Saudis will not be willing to spend their summer vacations in European countries as a result of Islamophobia. Turkey and South Asia will be preferred alternative destination for Saudis.”
“The UK could be the most preferable European country … due to the low-level of Islamophobia in the country. Saudis are frequent visitors to London, which has many Arab residents. Therefore, Saudis would not face risks of Islamophobia,” he told Arab News.
However, Hind Khaled, owner of a tourism and travel agency said that Saudis abandoned the idea of travel to Dubai, Turkey or Malaysia because of many reasons, mainly the high weather temperatures in Dubai and the high cost of travel to Turkey. “This forced them to take advantage of the offers provided by travel agencies to some Western capitals,” she explained.
Abdulraheem Abdullah, the owner of another tourism and travel agency, said Europe tops the list of the most preferred travel destination for Saudis during this current summer vacation.
“About 60 percent of the total numbers of Saudis who want to spend the summer outside the Kingdom preferred to go to Europe this year, mainly to Austria, France, Germany and Switzerland because of the moderate weather in these countries in addition to the offers provided by airlines and hotels,” he added.
He confirmed that Indonesia was also added to the list of most preferred tourist destinations because of its mild climate and the existence of numerous family attractions, plus the low costs of travel to the country which are affordable for hundreds of Saudi families who intend to spend between 14 to 30 days there.
Ahmad bin Mesfer, also an owner of a tourist and travel agency said many Saudis have chosen new travel destinations such as Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“These countries have become a popular tourist destination especially in the summer because of the mild weather and the breathtaking nature and landscape,” he added.
He said most Saudis will divide their vacation into three sections with the first to begin before Ramadan to neighboring Gulf countries. The long vacation will begin during Eid Al-Fitr when a large number of citizens preferred to go to Austria, the USA, Turkey, Malaysia and London. “The third and last section will be during the Haj period where many prefer to go to South Africa, Malaysia, Turkey and Greece,” he explained.
Monzer Al-Ansari, director of the statistic information center at the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, said that it is too early to determine Saudis’ tourism destinations for this summer. However, Islamophobia in Europe will play an essential role in changing Saudis’ plans to spend their vacations abroad.
