Visa has announced findings from its latest Travel Pulse: Saudi Arabia, Summer Holidays Edition. The report highlighted the growing role of family travel in Saudi Arabia’s outbound tourism.

Outbound leisure travel accounted for 48% of cross-border spend. Saudi residents took advantage of school holidays to combine family visits abroad with international leisure trips. The study revealed that 25% of leisure travelers made multiple trips this summer, averaging 11 days each.

Summer 2025 showed a notable rise in family travel. It accounted for 20% of outbound trips, nearly double the RoY average of 13%. Ticketing spend grew 69% compared to RoY, with families of two to five spending an average of $2,060 on tickets.

Top outbound destinations were also reported.

• Manama led with 20% traveler share
• Dubai followed at 13%
• Cairo stood at 9%, Istanbul 8%, and London 4%
• Auckland, 15,000 km away, was the farthest destination

The analysis revealed children’s influence on family itineraries. Outbound spend by Saudi-issued cards at toy merchants rose 140%. Amusement park spending grew 135%. On average, travelers spent $540 per card on accommodation and $135 on entertainment.

Ali Bailoun, Visa’s Regional General Manager for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman, said families are now making travel decisions based on children’s preferences. He noted amusement parks and family dining as key attractions.

Visa reported that summer travel in Saudi Arabia is shifting toward experiential and family-focused activities. Banks and tourism authorities were encouraged to create tailored travel rewards, exclusive partnerships, and early-booking incentives for Saudi cardholders.

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