RIYADH: For many Saudi travelers, the urge to experience bustling atmospheres has calmed down, with significant numbers choosing more soft, relaxing, and wellness-centered destinations.
With many local wellness resorts in the Kingdom hosting guests for Eid, ranging from AlUla to Jeddah’s beach destinations, Saudis are embracing wellness globally as well.
With Vogue Arabia referring to the Kingdom as becoming the “world’s most exciting retreat destination,” referencing AlUla and AMAALA, the domestic appreciation for wellness under Vision 2030 in particular, has influenced Saudis’ decisions when traveling abroad as well.
According to Blue Sail, a travel consultancy site, the trend in wellness destination traveling as a whole can be traced back to the younger generation (aged 18-40 years) prioritizing mental health and wellness even in their traveling and vacations.
That appreciation for destinations that foster tranquility, down-time, and more niche experiences was expressed by Saudis, as they spoke to Arab News on the reasoning behind their choices.
For example, many are choosing Gstaad over St. Moritz in Switzerland or Koh Samui over Phuket and Bangkok. Riyadh local Lujain Al-Alamy told Arab News: “I like boutique hotels more than commercial ones. I like the intimacy and the cozy atmosphere. They are my go-to places in Philadelphia (in the US). I really like supporting places like this that care deeply about customer service and are family owned.”
The appreciation for more quiet spaces was echoed by Ghayed Al-Wassiah, a senior medical student also looking forward to embracing a softer Eid getaway. “Especially due to Ramadan being a month full of work and shifts at the hospital for me, I find myself drawn to quieter places this year more than ever … somewhere that isn’t dominated by nightlife but doesn’t completely.”
Nawal Al-Naif, also a Riyadh local, spoke to Arab News on the desire to calm spaces after Ramadan. “For me, it’s a chance to recharge and change the environment I’ve been in. I like to clear my mind during that time. I see it as a way to break the daily routine and start fresh. After Ramadan, that kind of shift in atmosphere is really important.”
Another seasoned traveler from Riyadh, Lama Al-Suhaimi, spoke to Arab News on the balance between appreciating lively atmospheres and knowing when a softer style of vacationing is key.
“Occasionally after Eid I may spend part of the holiday in a private villa in a quieter setting. For me, comfort and privacy mean being away from pressure and constant social interaction, but it’s not something I want the entire trip to be,” she said.
With an industry like wellness tourism being valued at $436 billion in 2025, Saudi nationals’ 2026 Eid trends indicate that the industry is here to stay, whether experienced locally or abroad.
