Travel marketplace Wego has reported a significant surge in interest for domestic travel ahead of Saudi National Day. Data shows a 42% increase in domestic flight searches and a 62% rise in hotel searches compared to last year. While Jeddah remains the top flight destination, Makkah leads for accommodation, with Al Khobar and Taif also showing strong growth. Travellers are primarily planning two-night stays to explore the Kingdom’s diverse heritage, mountain, and coastal landscapes.
According to data from Wego, the number one travel app and the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Jeddah ranked as the most-searched destination for domestic flights during the holiday period, followed by Madinah, Riyadh, Dammam and Abha.
Taif and Tabuk also recorded strong growth, with searches rising 91% and 56%, respectively.
Hotel searches showed a different pattern, with Makkah leading demand for accommodation and Al Khobar recording the strongest year-on-year growth as searches more than tripled.
Travellers searched an average of 10 days/weeks before departure, while two nights emerged as the most popular trip duration, providing further insight into how residents are planning their National Day breaks.
Diverse Destinations
Riyadh and nearby Diriyah offer opportunities to explore the Kingdom’s history and Najdi heritage, while Jeddah combines the distinctive character of Al-Balad with the Red Sea waterfront.
Abha and Taif appeal to travelers seeking mountain scenery, outdoor experiences and local culture. In northwestern Saudi Arabia, Tabuk offers a mix of Hijaz railway heritage, desert landscapes and the Red Sea coast.
The range of destinations provides options for different types of National Day trips, from short city breaks to journeys focused on culture, nature, heritage and coastal experiences.
Commenting on the findings, Mamoun Hmidan, Chief Business Officer at Wego, said: “National Day creates a distinctive domestic travel period in Saudi Arabia, and our search data shows interest extending across a diverse mix of destinations and experiences. Travellers are exploring the Kingdom in different ways, whether through its major cities, heritage destinations, mountain landscapes, or coastal experiences.”
Hmidan added: “This diversity is one of the strengths of domestic travel in Saudi Arabia, giving travellers more opportunities to discover the Kingdom while marking an important national occasion.”
Across Saudi Arabia, National Day is also marked by cultural programmes, public celebrations, live performances, and family activities. Travellers are encouraged to check official channels for confirmed events, locations, and timings when planning their trips.
Through Wego’s website and mobile app, travellers can search, compare, and book domestic flights and accommodation across Saudi Arabia, making it easier to find options that suit their schedules, preferences, and budgets.
