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Saudi travellers are broadening their summer travel choices, with a cluster of secondary cities recording sharp increases in searches for round-trip flights, according to the latest data from Wego, the number one travel app and the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Vietnam’s Da Nang topped the list of rising summer destinations among Saudi travellers, recording a 117% increase in searches for round-trip flights compared with the same period last year. Spain’s Palma de Mallorca followed with an 82% increase, while Tivat in Montenegro recorded growth of 55%. Other rising destinations also recorded search increases of more than 50%.
The figures point to a growing appetite among Saudi travellers for destinations that combine coastlines, nature, local culture, and outdoor experiences, as they increasingly explore alternatives to major cities and traditional tourism hubs.
Rising Destinations
According to Wego’s latest summer travel search data, Dalaman in southwestern Türkiye, Tivat in Montenegro, Da Nang and Phu Quoc in Vietnam, and Palma de Mallorca in Spain are among the secondary destinations attracting growing interest from travellers departing from Saudi Arabia this summer, spanning the Mediterranean, the Balkans, and Asia.
The rise of these destinations reflects a broader shift in summer travel preferences, with travellers showing greater interest in coastal landscapes, historic neighbourhoods, nature, outdoor activities, local culture, and regional cuisine.
Coastal and Island Destinations Gain Ground
Interest in beach destinations is also increasing. Wego data shows that coastal and island destinations accounted for around 1 in 10 round-trip flight searches from Saudi Arabia this summer, compared with around 1 in 12 during the same period last year.
Coastal appeal is a common feature across several of the rising destinations. Tivat and Palma de Mallorca combine coastal settings with mountain landscapes, while Da Nang and Phu Quoc offer beaches alongside nature, national parks, and nearby heritage sites. Dalaman, meanwhile, provides access to quieter stretches of the Turkish coast beyond main resort areas.
Early Planning and Average Trip Lengths
The shift in travel behaviour extends beyond destination choice to the way Saudi travellers plan their holidays. According to the data, travellers are booking their flights more than 30 days in advance on average, while the average trip length is around 10 days.
The combination of early planning and longer stays gives travellers greater flexibility to build more varied itineraries, including multiple cities or regions within the same trip. Direct connectivity where available, as well as connections through major regional hubs, can further expand the range of destinations travellers can incorporate into a single holiday, rather than limiting the trip to a single city.
Saudi Travellers Expand Options
Commenting on the findings, Mamoun Hmidan, Chief Business Officer at Wego, said: “Saudi travellers are becoming more adventurous in how they explore familiar destinations. Major cities remain an important part of the journey; however, we’re seeing greater interest in extending trips beyond the traditional gateways to discover different regions, landscapes, and local experiences.”
Hmidan added: “This gives travellers more variety within a single holiday and allows them to experience a destination from a different perspective. As connectivity and access continue to expand, we expect this appetite for broader, more experience-led itineraries to continue shaping travel choices.”
A Changing Summer Travel Map
The latest search trends point to a gradual shift in the summer travel map from Saudi Arabia. While established destinations continue to attract strong demand, the growing visibility of cities such as Dalaman, Tivat, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, and Palma de Mallorca reflects a broader evolution in how travellers discover and experience destinations, driven by a combination of beaches, nature, culture, and local experiences.
The trend suggests that summer destination choices are increasingly shaped not only by a destination’s popularity, but also by the variety of experiences, ease of access, range of activities, and opportunities to discover places beyond the main tourism hubs.
