The world is embracing travel once again, and this year is no exception. Saudi Arabia, in particular, is experiencing a tourism boom, welcoming a staggering 73% more international visitors during the first seven months of 2024 compared to the same period last year. This translates to an impressive 17.5 million tourists, marking a 10% increase from 2023 and a remarkable 73% surge from pre-pandemic levels. The country’s Ministry of Tourism revealed that 4.2 million of these arrivals were leisure travelers, a staggering 656% jump since 2019. This surge is directly linked to Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to diversify the nation’s economy by positioning it as a leading global tourism destination. The UN World Tourism Barometer has even recognized Saudi Arabia as the fastest-growing G20 country for tourism, highlighting its remarkable progress on the international stage.
Meanwhile, Australian airline Qantas is set to make history by deploying its iconic Airbus A380s on flights to Africa. Starting soon, the airline will offer a new Sydney-to-Johannesburg route, operating six times a week. This marks the first time the A380 will grace the African continent, offering passengers a unique and luxurious travel experience. With seating for up to 485 passengers across four cabins, the A380 will replace the Boeing 787-9, providing greater capacity for the 14-hour, 40-minute journey between Sydney and Johannesburg. Qantas currently has eight active A380s in its fleet of 10, serving routes to Los Angeles, Singapore, and London. Tickets for the new Johannesburg service, set to launch in December, are priced at around AUD 3,000 for round trips.
As we move into October, the excitement surrounding travel continues to build with China’s National Day holiday, also known as “Golden Week.” Running from October 1 to 7, this week-long celebration is expected to see a massive surge in international travel, with tourists flocking to destinations across the Asia-Pacific region. Data from Chinese travel platforms Fliggy and Trip.com show that Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam are top contenders. Long-haul destinations, including Australia, New Zealand, France, Spain, and the United States, are also gaining popularity among Chinese travelers. Interestingly, Chinese travelers are booking longer stays, particularly in Europe, with trips averaging 10 to 14 days. Accommodation trends reveal a preference for high-quality, mid-tier hotels, with occasional five-star bookings in European cities. Live entertainment is also a major draw, with 75% of travelers to the Asia-Pacific region planning to attend concerts by artists like John Legend and K-pop stars Taemin and Taeyang. Hong Kong, in particular, is expecting up to 1.2 million visitors from mainland China during this celebratory week.
