Travel
Travel and Tourism

Travel And Tourism in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia

Euromonitor International's Travel And Tourism in Saudi Arabia report offers a comprehensive guide to the market at a national level. It looks at travel accommodation, transportation, car rental, tourist attractions and retail travel. It identifies the leading companies and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market, including background information on disposable income, annual leave and holiday taking habits.

Buy online to access strategic market analysis and an interactive statistical database of market size data for travel accommodation, transportation, car rental, travel retail, tourism attractions and health and wellness tourism, tourism inflows and outflows, tourism spending and company and brand shares.

Tables: 109  |  Publication date: Feb 2009
Cost: 
GBP1190.00

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  • Get insight into trends in market performance
  • Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change
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Product coverage

Car rental; Demand factors; Health & wellness tourism; Tourism flows domestic; Tourism flows inbound; Tourism flows outbound; Tourism receipts and expenditure; Tourist attractions; Transportation; Travel accommodation; Travel retail

Executive summary

Domestic tourism first

The domestic tourism environment gained the attention of both officials and Saudi consumers at the end of the review period. Officials responsible for tourism focused on local tourism, aiming to appeal to nationals who usually travel abroad. The Supreme Commission for Tourism, which builds and organises the tourism industry in Saudi Arabia, believes such a focus will potentially be of great benefit to the local economy. To achieve this objective, expanding tourist infrastructure facilities and organising tourist festivals may encourage Saudi citizens to visit tourist cities within their own country, and increase the importance of the domestic tourist industry within the economy.

End of Saudi Arabian Airlines’ monopoly

To boost the domestic tourism industry, the General Authority of Civil Aviation decided to liberalise Saudi Arabia’s aviation industry by introducing two low-fare operators: Nas Air and Sama. This resulted in the ending of the longstanding Saudi Arabian airline monopoly. The objectives of this liberalisation are to facilitate the emerging tourism industry, stimulate the business market, and offer travellers greater choice, cheap flight deals and flexible options on value-for-money fares.

Sustainable tourism industry on the rise

The main goal of the national tourism development project prepared by the Supreme Commission for Tourism is to develop a sustainable tourism industry by putting into effect economic and social benefits, by developing countryside and desert areas. This represents valuable support for the populations in these areas by raising their living standards, which in turn helps them continue to live and build the economy in the their local areas instead of migrating to large cities. To involve the population into this strategy, this Commission developed the “smile” programme, which aims to build awareness of tourism with the help of the education ministry.

Year of cultural tourism

In recent years cultural tourism has become increasingly important in domestic tourism in Saudi Arabia. Boutique hotels in Medina Al Munawarah, smaller towns and historical areas are attracting a new category of tourist, interested in the cultural side of Saudi cities. To encourage such tourists, the Supreme Commission for Tourism is currently working on a comprehensive project to restore buildings, including palaces and museums throughout the Kingdom constructed during the rule of King Abdul Aziz, and also photographs and antiquities, in order to document this important period of the Saudi history. The main goal is to transform these buildings as cultural centres, to hold lectures, exhibitions, symposiums and folkloric performances on a regular basis. Moreover, with these cultural centres the tourism industry will become increasingly social, since it connects the people of Saudi Arabia, and enhances the sense of belonging as consumers get to know their country better.

Training programme

Since personnel are responsible for the first impression of Saudi culture among visiting tourists, the Supreme Commission for Tourism has decided to conduct training programmes to educate tourism personnel, immigrations, customs, aviation, ground services crew, operators, taxi and bus drivers, etc, and enlighten them on transferring styles and types of professional communication. This programme focuses on training all customs and immigrations personnel who are responsible for greeting tourists and processing their needs at ports. Furthermore, the programme emphasises the importance of professional communication, skills and attitude with tourists, and the effect this has on the country.

Table of contents

TRAVEL AND TOURISM IN SAUDI ARABIA : MARKET INSIGHT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Domestic tourism first

End of Saudi Arabian Airlines’ monopoly

Sustainable tourism industry on the rise

Year of cultural tourism

Training programme

KEY TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS

Economic Indicators

Legislative Environment

Government tourism policy and sustainable tourism

Consumer lifestyles

Low-cost carrier development

Emerging niches

Internet developments

TERRORISM AND SECURITY

LEAVE ENTITLEMENT

CONSUMER DEMOGRAPHICS

BALANCE OF PAYMENTS

MARKET INDICATORS

Table 1 Leave Entitlement: Volume 2005-2007

Table 2 Holiday Demographic Trends 2002-2007

Table 3 Holiday Takers by Sex 2002-2007

Table 4 Holiday Takers by Age 2002-2007

Table 5 Length of Domestic Trip: 2002-2007

Table 6 Length of Outbound Departure: 2002-2007

Table 7 Seasonality of Trips 2005-2007

MARKET DATA

Table 8 Balance of Tourism Payments: Value 2002-2007

DEFINITIONS

Tourism Parameters

Travel accommodation

Transportation

Car rental

Travel retail

Tourist attractions

Health and wellness

Internet sales

Internet sales: dynamic packaging

Internet sales: traditional package holiday

Summary 1 Research Sources

LOCAL COMPANY PROFILES - SAUDI ARABIA

ELAF GROUP - TRAVEL AND TOURISM - SAUDI ARABIA

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 2 Elaf Travel and Tourism: Key Facts

Summary 3 Elaf Travel and Tourism: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 4 Elaf Travel and Tourism: Competitive Position 2007

KINGDOM HOTEL INVESTMENTS (KHI) - TRAVEL AND TOURISM - SAUDI ARABIA

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 5 Kingdom Hotel Investments: Key Facts

Summary 6 Kingdom Hotel Investments: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 7 Kingdom Hotel Investments: Competitive Position 2007

NAS AIR - TRAVEL AND TOURISM - SAUDI ARABIA

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 8 Nas Air: Key Facts

Summary 9 Nas Air: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 10 Nas Air: Competitive Position 2007

SAMA AIRLINES - TRAVEL AND TOURISM - SAUDI ARABIA

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 11 SAMA AIRLINES: Key Facts

Summary 12 SAMA AIRLINES: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 13 SAMA AIRLINES: Competitive Position 2007

SAUDI ARABIAN AIRLINES - TRAVEL AND TOURISM - SAUDI ARABIA

STRATEGIC DIRECTION

KEY FACTS

Summary 14 Saudi Arabian Airlines: Key Facts

Summary 15 Saudi Arabian Airlines: Operational Indicators

COMPANY BACKGROUND

COMPETITIVE POSITIONING

Summary 16 Saudi Arabian Airlines: Competitive Position 2007

TOURISM FLOWS INBOUND IN SAUDI ARABIA

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN

INBOUND DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE

MODE OF TRANSPORT

PURPOSE OF VISIT

INCOMING TOURIST RECEIPTS BY COUNTRY

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 9 Arrivals by Country of Origin: 2002-2007

Table 10 Leisure Arrivals by Type 2005-2007

Table 11 Business Arrivals: MICE Penetration 2005-2007

Table 12 Arrivals by Method of Transport: 2002-2007

Table 13 Arrivals by Purpose of Visit: 2002-2007

Table 14 Incoming Tourist Receipts by Country: Value 2002-2007

Table 15 Tourism Expenditure by Sector: Value 2002-2007

Table 16 Method of Payments for Incoming Tourist Receipts: % Breakdown 2005-2007

Table 17 Forecast Arrivals by Country of Origin: 2007-2012

Table 18 Forecast Arrivals by Method of Transport: 2007-2012

Table 19 Forecast Arrivals by Purpose of Visit: 2007-2012

Table 20 Forecast Incoming Tourist Receipts by Country: Value 2007-2012

TOURISM FLOWS OUTBOUND IN SAUDI ARABIA

HEADLINES

TRENDS

DESTINATIONS

OUTBOUND DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE

MODE OF TRANSPORT

PURPOSE OF VISIT

OUTGOING TOURIST EXPENDITURE BY COUNTRY

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 21 Departures by Destination: 2002-2007

Table 22 Leisure Departures by Type 2005-2007

Table 23 Business Departures: MICE Penetration % Breakdown 2005-2007

Table 24 Departures by Method of Transport: 2002-2007

Table 25 Departures by Purpose of Visit: 2002-2007

Table 26 Outgoing Tourist Expenditure by Country: Value 2002-2007

Table 27 Outgoing Tourist Expenditure by Sector: Value 2002-2007

Table 28 Method of Payments for Outgoing Tourism Spending: % Breakdown 2005-2007

Table 29 Forecast Departures by Destination: 2007-2012

Table 30 Forecast Departures by Method of Transport: 2007-2012

Table 31 Forecast Departures by Purpose of Visit: 2007-2012

Table 32 Forecast Outgoing Tourist Expenditure by Country: Value 2007-2012

TOURISM FLOWS DOMESTIC IN SAUDI ARABIA

HEADLINES

TRENDS

DESTINATIONS

MODE OF TRANSPORT

PURPOSE OF VISIT

DOMESTIC TOURIST EXPENDITURE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 33 Domestic Trips by Destination: 2002-2007

Table 34 Domestic Trips by Purpose of Visit and by Method of Transport: 2002-2007

Table 35 Domestic Tourist Expenditure: Value: 2002-2007

Table 36 Expenditure per Domestic Trip: 2002-2007

Table 37 Method of Payments for Domestic Tourism Spending: % Breakdown 2005-2007

Table 38 Forecast Domestic Trips by Purpose of Visit and by Method of Transport: 2007-2012

Table 39 Forecast Domestic Tourist Expenditure: Value: 2007-2012

TRAVEL ACCOMMODATION IN SAUDI ARABIA

HEADLINES

TRENDS

HOTELS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 40 Travel Accommodation Sales by Sector: Value 2002-2007

Table 41 Travel Accommodation Outlets by Sector: Units 2002-2007

Table 42 Regional Hotel Parameters 2007

Table 43 Travel Accommodation by Sector: Number of Rooms 2002-2007

Table 44 Travel Accommodation by Sector: Number of Beds 2002-2007

Table 45 Travel Accommodation Internet Sales by Direct Suppliers and Intermediaries: Internet Transaction Value 2002-2007

Table 46 Hotel National Brand Owners by Market Share 2003-2007

Table 47 Hotels National Brand Owners by Key Performance Indicators 2007

Table 48 Forecast Travel Accommodation Sales by Sector: Value 2007-2012

Table 49 Forecast Travel Accommodation Outlets by Sector: Units 2007-2012

Table 50 Forecast Travel Accommodation Internet Sales by Direct Suppliers and Intermediaries: Internet Transaction Value 2007-2012

TRANSPORTATION IN SAUDI ARABIA

HEADLINES

TRENDS

AIRLINES

PRIVATE JETS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 51 Transportation Sales by Sector: Value 2002-2007

Table 52 Airline Capacity: 2002-2007

Table 53 Airline Utilisation: 2002-2007

Table 54 Airline % Utilisation 2002-2007

Table 55 Airline Volume Sales by Seat Class: % Breakdown: 2002-2007

Table 56 Airline Volume Sales by Distance: % Breakdown: 2002-2007

Table 57 Transportation Internet Sales by Direct Suppliers and Intermediaries: Internet Transaction Value 2002-2007

Table 58 Airline Market Shares 2003-2007

Table 59 Airlines National Brand Owners by Key Performance Indicators 2007

Table 60 Forecast Transportation Sales by Sector: Value 2007-2012

Table 61 Forecast Transportation Internet Sales by Sector: Internet Transaction Value 2007-2012

CAR RENTAL IN SAUDI ARABIA

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 62 Car Rental Sales by Sector and Location: Value 2002-2007

Table 63 Structure of Car Rental Market: 2002-2007

Table 64 Average Car Rental Duration by Sector 2004-2007

Table 65 Average Car Rental Duration: % Breakdown 2004-2007

Table 66 Time of Booking: % Breakdown 2005-2007

Table 67 Car Rental Internet Sales by Direct Suppliers and Intermediaries: Internet Transaction Value 2002-2007

Table 68 Car Rental Market Shares 2003-2007

Table 69 Car Rental National Brand Owners by Key Performance Indicators 2007

Table 70 Forecast Car Rental Sales by Sector: Value 2007-2012

Table 71 Forecast Car Rental Internet Sales by Sector: Internet Transaction Value 2007-2012

TRAVEL RETAIL IN SAUDI ARABIA

HEADLINES

TRENDS

GROWTH SECTORS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 72 Travel Retail Outlets by Sector: Units 2002-2007

Table 73 Travel Retail Products Sales: Value 2002-2007

Table 74 Travel Retail Sales by Destination: % Value Breakdown 2002-2007

Table 75 Travel Retail Products Internet Sales by Direct Suppliers and Intermediaries: Internet Transaction Value 2002-2007

Table 76 Travel Retail Internet Sales by Sector: Internet Transaction Value 2002-2007

Table 77 Travel Retail Products Market Shares 2003-2007

Table 78 Travel Retail Products National Brand Owners by Key Performance Indicators 2007

Table 79 Forecast Travel Retail Outlets by Sector: Units 2007-2012

Table 80 Forecast Travel Retail Products Sales: Value 2007-2012

Table 81 Forecast Travel Retail Products Internet Sales by Direct Suppliers and Intermediaries: Internet Transaction Value 2007-2012

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN SAUDI ARABIA

HEADLINES

TRENDS

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 82 Tourist Attractions by Sector: Value 2002-2007

Table 83 Tourist Attractions by Sector: 2002-2007

Table 84 Tourist Attractions Internet Sales by Direct Suppliers and Intermediaries: Internet Transaction Value 2002-2007

Table 85 Leading Tourist Attractions by Visitors 2002-2007

Table 86 Forecast Tourist Attractions by Sector: Value 2007-2012

Table 87 Forecast Tourist Attractions by Sector: 2007-2012

Table 88 Forecast Tourist Attractions Internet Transaction Value Sales by Sector: Internet Transaction Value 2007-2012

HEALTH & WELLNESS TOURISM IN SAUDI ARABIA

HEADLINES

TRENDS

PROSPECTS

SECTOR DATA

Table 89 Number of Hotel/Resort Spas: Units 2002-2007

Table 90 Spa Sales by Type: Value 2002-2007

Table 91 Spa Consumer Markets: Domestic Tourism 2005-2007

Table 92 Spa Consumer Markets: Arrivals 2005-2007

Table 93 Forecast Spa Sales by Type: Value 2007-2012

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