Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is one of the top 5 countries from where tourists are coming to Azerbaijan. The latest statistics show that the number of tourist arrivals from Saudi Arabia to Azerbaijan has grown. Saudi Arabia is one of the target markets for the tourism sector in Azerbaijan whose importance is currently growing, as witnessed by the rise in the number of guests, overnight stays and expenditures.

The Saudi Arabian guest

Saudi Arabian tourists are some of the highest spending travellers in the world. A large percentage of travellers from Saudi Arabia travel abroad with their family (6 to 10 people, including maids). Tourists tend to stay longer, as they spend about 13 nights on long holiday trips abroad.

Information sources: The internet, friends’ recommendations, videos, magazines, TV programmes, social networks.

High internet usage: YouTube, Facebook and Instagram are the largest social media platforms in Saudi Arabia, which is Youtube’s largest market globally in terms of per capita consumption. Those between the ages 15 and 24 in Saudi Arabia spend 72 minutes per day on average watching videos online. 94% companies in Saudi Arabia believe that social media influencer marketing plays a major role in the success of their brands.

Travel decision-making: Tourists from GCC countries are prone to last minute travel decision making. Two thirds of the travellers buy their tickets less than a week prior to the flight. However, travellers from Saudi Arabia are more long-term oriented. Most of the tourists buy the flight tickets 2 or more weeks before the flight.

Means of transport: Saudi Arabian tourists mostly travel by plane.

Main holiday interests: City holidays, family/children’s resorts, shopping, nightlife, nature and eco-tourism, wellness and medical treatment, sports events.

Activities: Sightseeing, going to restaurants and clubs, shopping.

Preferences for destination choice: Visa-free regime, safety, being Muslim-friendly, the hospitality, gastronomy, excellent range of 4-5 stars hotels and places to go with children.

Most visited places: Baku, Gabala, Sheki, Guba.

Regional Manager for Middle East

Leyla Mahmudova