Saudi Summer 2026: Domestic Tourism Bookings Surge

Domestic tourism across the Kingdom recorded strong growth in early 2026, with about 28.9 million trips in the first quarter — a 16% rise year-on-year — as travellers increasingly chose destinations such as Abha, Taif, AlUla and the Red Sea coast for summer getaways. Domestic tourism spending reached around SAR 34.7 billion in the same period, up 8%.

The demand carried through the Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr school break, which drew roughly 10 million domestic trips, a 14% increase, with spending of about SAR 10.2 billion. To capture the summer season, tourism authorities launched the “Saudi Summer 2026” campaign under the slogan “صيفنا على كيفنا” (Our Summer, Our Way), spotlighting Aseer (Abha and its surroundings), Red Sea coastal resorts, Jeddah, Taif and Al-Baha.

Where residents are heading

Search and booking activity has been strongest for Red Sea coastal cities, Abha, Taif and AlUla, particularly around Eid and the summer holidays. More than one million additional domestic flight seats have been added on routes serving the Red Sea, Jeddah, Taif, Al-Baha and Aseer to meet the rush.

Hotel and resort occupancy averaged about 59% nationally in the first quarter, led by Madinah at 82%, Makkah at 60% and Jeddah at 59%. Some targeted resorts in the Red Sea and AlUla reached full occupancy during peak campaigns.

Indicative 2026 room rates give families a sense of options: a beachfront family resort in the Jeddah coastal area from about SAR 1,600 a night; a desert resort near AlUla from about SAR 900; a mild-climate hotel in the Taif highlands from about SAR 850; and budget three-star stays in AlUla’s Old Town area from about SAR 350–550. Luxury AlUla resorts generally range from SAR 1,500 to SAR 3,500, with promotional packages offering up to 35% discounts on select dates.

For residents and expats planning a break, the added flights and campaign offers make cooler mountain escapes and coastal resorts more accessible this summer.

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