Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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May 2025
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) remains one of Azerbaijan’s most important tourism source markets in the Gulf region. Recent statistics indicate sustained demand from Saudi travellers, with visitor arrivals reaching 104,364 in 2025, close to the pre-pandemic peak. The KSA continues to be a priority target market for Azerbaijan’s tourism sector, as reflected in the strong performance of visitor arrivals, overnight stays and tourism expenditure. The market's significance is further supported by direct air connectivity, favourable travel conditions and growing awareness of Azerbaijan as a leisure destination among Saudi travellers.
Among the main reasons for the increasing number of arrivals from the KSA are the climate, similar culture, being Muslim-friendly, the traditions and hospitality of Azerbaijan, and of course the frequency of direct flights. Another reason for the sharp increase has been the simplified visa regime for KSA citizens. The highest rate of KSA tourists is during June and July. KSA travellers can directly fly from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam.
The average Saudi traveller to Azerbaijan generally falls within the age range of 30 to 45 years. They often travel as families, with many being married with children, making family-oriented vacations highly popular. Younger Saudis in their late 20s and early 30s may travel with friends or as couples before settling into family life. Given the typically large household size of Saudi families, with four or more members, there is a strong preference for spacious accommodations and family-friendly destinations. Their travel preferences share similarities with their neighbours in the Middle East but also reflect unique preferences and cultural influences.
The average spending of a Saudi tourist abroad is relatively high compared to other travellers. Saudi tourists are known for their significant expenditure on shopping, luxury goods, accommodation, dining, and entertainment. On average, a Saudi tourist spends between $5,000 to $10,000 per trip. This amount can vary depending on the destination, duration of stay, and the nature of the trip, such as family vacations or luxury travel experiences.
According to the 2023 statistics, on average, Saudi Arabians spend at least 3 hours and 1 minute a day on different social media platforms. It is a great opportunity to easily connect and engage with their target audience through these channels, more than any other method.
Last minute booking is very popular among travellers in the GCC, with more than two in five customers purchasing their flight tickets less than a week prior to departure. In Saudi Arabia, the zero-day rush is more pronounced, with 65% of online reservations taking place within two weeks of the travel date.
• Online travel agencies (OTAs): Expedia, Agoda, Wego, Almosafer, Musafir.com, Almatar.com
• Specialized providers: Booking.com, Hotels.com, Airbnb
The average duration of travel is between 10 and 13 days. Short-stay travel is on average 3-4 nights. Those who travel with family (kids and maids) usually stay longer and choose to explore nature and the city.
Tourist arrivals from Saudi Arabia to Azerbaijan saw a dramatic increase from just 507 visitors in 2014 to a pre-pandemic peak of 106,994 in 2019. Following the outbreak of COVID-19, arrivals declined sharply, reaching 8,826 visitors in 2021. The market then rebounded strongly, with arrivals increasing to 96,290 in 2022 and 80,767 in 2023. In 2024, arrivals rose to 98,113, reflecting renewed demand and continued recovery. This positive trend continued in 2025, when arrivals reached 104,364 visitors, representing a 6.4% increase compared to 2024 and bringing the market close to its pre-pandemic peak. These figures highlight the sustained interest of Saudi travellers in Azerbaijan as a leisure destination and the importance of Saudi Arabia as a key source market in the Gulf region.
In 2025, Azerbaijan welcomed 104,364 visitors from Saudi Arabia, representing a 6.4% increase compared to 2024. Saudi Arabia remained one of Azerbaijan's key source markets in the Middle East, with the majority of visitors travelling for leisure and holiday purposes. Azerbaijan's natural attractions, family-friendly environment, cultural heritage, and convenient travel conditions, including direct flights and visa facilitation, continued to drive demand from Saudi travellers.
In 2025, Saudi visitors spent a total of 207,724.6 thousand AZN during their trips to Azerbaijan. Among the main expenditure categories, spending on transport amounted to approximately 93,480 thousand AZN, followed by accommodation at approximately 43,241 thousand AZN and food and beverages at approximately 41,411 thousand AZN.
In 2025, approximately 45,130 Saudi visitors stayed in Azerbaijan for 1–3 nights, while around 38,571 visitors stayed for 4–7 nights. These figures indicate a strong preference for short leisure breaks, although a significant proportion of travellers opted for longer stays.
The most visited regions by KSA traveller in Azerbaijan are Baku, Gabala, Gusar, Guba, and Shaki.
KSA travellers’ values nature, hospitality, cuisine of Azerbaijan as well as they highly values Azerbaijan for being suitable for halal and family-friendly travel, with a focus on accommodating the cultural and religious needs of KSA tourists.
Products of Azerbaijan that connect to the KSA market can be grouped into “Fits all” – products that all first-time visitors should see or experience, “Add-ons” – products that can be seen or experienced with longer or repeat visits, and “Tailored” – products that are considered of specific relevance to the market.
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Fits all |
Add-ons |
Tailored |
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Mountains & valleys |
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National parks & nature areas |
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Theme parks & entertainment centres |
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Shopping |
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Gastronomy |
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Festivals & events |
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Sports
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Saudi Arabia’s outbound tourism market continues to grow rapidly, with the industry projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.28% through 2027. While domestic and regional travel remains strong, Saudi travellers are increasingly exploring long-haul destinations such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Switzerland, Turkiye, India, and Malaysia. The UAE remains one of the most visited outbound destinations, followed closely by Turkiye and Switzerland. Today, there is a notable shift in traveller behaviour, with more Saudis seeking new and diverse experiences beyond the Middle East, presenting strong commercial opportunities for emerging and culturally rich destinations.