Tag Archives: Skyscanner

Saudi travellers are showing a marked shift in their holiday preferences, with destinations such as Da Nang in Vietnam and Shanghai in China witnessing significant spikes in interest, according to Jarrod Kris, Head of Destination Partnerships APAC at Skyscanner, in a special interview with TTME at ITB Asia. Da Nang recorded a 260% year-on-year increase in searches, driven by its golden beaches, marble mountains, and lively street food culture, while Shanghai saw an even higher 285% surge, reflecting a growing curiosity for culturally rich, non-traditional destinations. Kris noted that 89% of Saudi travellers are now planning mountain escapes for summer or autumn next year, marking a major lifestyle trend toward nature-based and multi-generational travel. Other rising destinations include Turkey, Armenia, Jaipur, Hong Kong, and Tanzania, as Saudi tourists look beyond Europe for new experiences. He added that improved air connectivity and easier visa access to Asian destinations are accelerating this trend. The data underscores a broader transformation in GCC travel behaviour, with younger travellers in particular driving demand for diverse, immersive, and family-oriented journeys.

From literature escapes to supermarket tourism and skincare-fuelled itineraries, travelers are planning to curate trips based on their hobbies and passions for 2026, according to Skyscanner data and global consumer research. * The Skyscanner Travel Trends report for 2026 has unveiled the seven biggest trends in travel, showing that the year will become “personal” for travellers in the UAE. The seven trends shaping travel for 2026 are:  Destination Check-in – In 2026, accommodation will increasingly hot shaping where and why people travel, with where hotelsthey stay becoming the destination Data shows that 76% of travellers have picked a destination based purely on accommodation. Glowmads – Statistics show more than half (55%) of adults in the UAE have bought beauty or skincare products on previous international trips while 45% plan to visit beauty stores and get skincare/beauty treatments in 2026. Therefore, beauty rituals have the potential to shape how, not just where, beauty lovers travel. Furthermore, 37% said beauty-related activities are cheaper abroad than home. Shelf Discovery – Travellers are searching for the most authentic bites in the food aisles with 83% saying they often or always explore the local supermarkets or grocery stores on their trips, while 57% say they learn more about local culture in food aisles. Furthermore, 44% are keen to try local food on holiday. Altitude Shift – Travellers are chasing year-round alpine escapes from snow to stillness. Skyscanner data shows more than three-quarters (92%) are already looking into booking a summer or autumn trip to a mountain destination next year and 31% are planning a hiking trip with 59% saying the clean air and cooler weather makes mountain trips more appealing. Bookbound – Individuals are looking to …