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03-05-23

Saudi Arabia, Egypt Top List of Most Popular Destinations for MENA Travelers

(MENAFN) According to a study conducted by Singapore-based travel app Wego, Saudi Arabia and Egypt were the most sought-after destinations for international travelers from the Middle East and North Africa in the first quarter of 2023. The study was based on search data and hotel bookings made on the app's website. Egypt was ranked as the top destination for tourists from the region between January and March, followed by Saudi Arabia and India, indicating the progress made by the Kingdom as a global tourist destination in line with its National Tourism Strategy. The Kingdom aims to attract 100 million visitors by 2030.

Mamoun Hmedan, Managing Director of MENA and India at Wego, stated that Egypt remained the top destination of choice for MENA travelers due to its mix of history, culture, and adventure for every type of traveler. The UAE, Kuwait, Turkiye, and Pakistan rounded out the top seven destinations.

In the study, China climbed up six spots quarter-on-quarter to reach the 26th top destination among MENA travelers. The report predicted that China would be among the fastest risers in the second quarter of 2023 as the country has loosened pandemic-related travel restrictions.

Several Asian countries lost their rankings as they faced stricter COVID-19 policies, including Japan and Vietnam, both of which fell by nine spots, the Philippines by eight, Malaysia by seven, and Indonesia and Singapore by four each. Meanwhile, countries within the Gulf Cooperation Council region with more accommodating travel policies rose up the ranks: Qatar and Oman gained eight spots, while Bahrain climbed five.

The UK held the top rank among European destinations, followed by Germany and Italy. The study's findings demonstrate the resilience and adaptability of the MENA travel market, with changes in travel policies and restrictions affecting travel patterns in the region.

Saudi Arabia's tourism strategy aims to increase the contribution of the sector to the gross domestic product in the Kingdom to more than 10 percent and create 1 million additional job opportunities. The country's progress in becoming a global tourist destination is reflected in its high ranking on the list of most popular destinations for MENA travelers.
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