KSA Residents Embrace Short Eid Al Adha Getaways Abroad While Foreign Pilgrims Drive Spend in Kingdom: Visa Data

• UAE, Turkey and UK were the most popular international destinations for KSA travelers
• Nearly 7 in 10 chose short getaways abroad over extended holidays
• Hajj brought a 7% rise in foreign pilgrim arrivals and a 16% increase in purchases compared to last year

Travelers from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) took full advantage of this year’s extended Eid Al Adha break, turning the six-day (June 5-10) holiday into an opportunity for cultural exploration, both at home and abroad. While many residents jetted off for short international getaways, the Kingdom also welcomed millions of foreign pilgrims during the Hajj season, driving a steady increase in travel to Saudi Arabia and spending.

According to Visa’s Travel Pulse: Eid Al Adha Edition, international travel by KSA residents rose by 25% compared to the same period in 2024. This growth was driven by a strong preference for shorter trips, with 69% of travelers from KSA opting for brief weekend getaways. They also made 21% more purchases abroad and spent 13% more overall this Eid, reflecting a preference to maximize the holidays with quick trips abroad.

Shopping Leads Holiday Spending Abroad

This Eid, international getaways became an opportunity for many KSA travelers to indulge in retail experiences. Shopping led the way across all major destinations, influencing not just how people spent, but also where they chose to go.

• UAE led as the top international destination, welcoming 14% of KSA travelers and accounting for 23% of total international spend. With an average spend of $635 per card, fashion took center stage — seven of the top ten merchants were in the shopping and apparel category. Among the top brands were Dubai Duty Free Stores, Hermes, and Cartier, reflecting both a preference for convenient airport shopping and a strong appetite for luxury. Dining and entertainment were also high on the agenda.
• Nine percent (9%) of travelers went to Turkey, making it the second most popular destination. It captured 15% of overall holiday spend with each visitor spending an average of $653 per card.
• While UK attracted a smaller share of travelers from Saudi Arabia (6%) and overall spend (12%), it captured the highest spend per card at $839. This figure reflects the destination’s premium retail appeal, with shopping leading how KSA visitors chose to spend.

Pilgrimage Travel Brings Continued Economic Lift to the Kingdom

The Hajj season continued to play a meaningful role in Saudi Arabia’s economic landscape. Compared to the same period last year, the Kingdom saw a 7% increase in the number of foreign pilgrims, who made 16% more purchases during their stay. While overall spending grew by 4% key shopping categories remained unchanged, including food, medicine, and other everyday needs, with smaller portions of spend going toward clothing and travel-related services.

“Whether it’s a short break or a meaningful pilgrimage, having a simple and secure way to pay matters at every step of the journey.” said Ali Bailoun, Regional General Manager for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman at Visa. “We are proud to support that through our unique data insights and seamless, reliable payment solutions, and to contribute to the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 by helping create more connected, inclusive and seamless payment experiences across borders.”

Recommendations for enhanced travel and tourism experiences

For businesses and banks, Visa’s Travel Pulse offers unique insights to improve the payment experience for KSA Visa cardholders traveling abroad or opting for local experiences.

• Data-Driven Personalization: Utilize data insights to create personalized offers and improve customer experience based on spending patterns.
• Exclusive Partnerships: Collaborate with KSA merchants locally and in popular international destinations to offer exclusive discounts and packages, enhancing cardholder value.
• Enhance Local Offerings: Capitalize on the rising preference for staycations by partnering with local merchants to offer compelling cardholder rewards.
• Early Booking Incentives: Encourage early planning with rewards or cashback for advance bookings, particularly focusing on family-friendly travel options.