Saudi domestic tourists set to spend $3.5bn

Saudi tourists are forecast to spend SR13.2bn ($3.5bn) on domestic tourism this summer, according to the latest official figures.

A report by the Information & Research Centre of the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) predicted a six percent growth in the number of tourists between July and September, Arab News reports.

Makkah province is expected to see the highest number of domestic tourism flights, with 47 percent, followed by the Eastern Province with 13 percent, according to the report.
Abdullah Al-Johani, vice chairman of SCTA for marketing and media, told the paper the reason for the increase was that Saudis realised the “importance of domestic tourism” and the increased tourist attractions in the kingdom.

According to the report 51 percent of domestic tourists will travel for a holiday and shopping while 25 percent will visit relatives, and 23 percent for religious reasons.