Saudi Vacationers Again Favor European Destinations

Saudis are now more inclined to visit Western destinations compared to the practice in the past three-four years when they chose to spend their vacation in the Far East. Growing market liquidity is the main reason as more and more citizens are making a bundle through the booming stock market enabling them to pick and choose their destinations. A straw survey shows that many would like to go to the West.

"I've done well trading on the Kingdom's booming stock market. I now have a new Cadillac and am planning a vacation with family to a set of European destinations," said Fahd Hassan Ahmed, a 22-year-old student at King Abdul Aziz University.

He decided six months ago to try his luck in the stock market, which has shot up around 300 percent in two years as oil prices and corporate profits have soared and local investors continued to repatriate capital following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the United States.

"The very rich to the very poor are buying and selling shares," said Abdullah Al- Ghamdi, another Saudi student. "Thanks to electronic information providers, many Saudis are scrambling for stake in the stock market," he said, adding that he has been one of the successful players and is heading the West this summer.

The flow of tourists from this part of the world to the United States has been negligible and to Western destinations minimal since the 9/11 events. Saudi families have since been visiting the Far East, aside from popular destinations in the Middle East. The flow of tourists, however, dropped following the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and the subsequent tsunami that hit some of the Far Eastern countries.

Even then Malaysia has remained a strong destination for Saudi families.

"But now there has been a perceptible change and Saudis have shown more inclination toward vacationing in popular European destinations," Imran Salehjee, managing director of London-based Saltours International, said. "In fact, affluent Saudi families have continued to visit Europe, though fewer in numbers," he added.

"Saudis have become more Internet savvy and so more travel savvy as travel information is readily available to them. So they are able to make their travel plans in advance and like to visit not one but a few key tourist destinations together," he said, adding that London and the rest of UK has been one of the top five choices in Europe whether for business, travel and tours, or leisure.

Salehjee was among a dozen participants from Europe, Malaysia, Turkey and Maldives at a road show organized by Unique choice, a wholesale worldwide accommodation specialist, at Crowne Plaza Hotel on Wednesday.

"We expect a 25 percent increase in the number of Saudi tourists to France compared to last year," Jean-Marc de Margerie, vice president and general manager at Hotel Concorde La Fayette Paris of Concorde Hotels, said.

"In fact, what is contributing to an increased flow of tourists from this part of the world is the 'liberalized visa procedure' adopted by some Western countries."

Spain too is catching up with the rest of Europe for Saudi vacationers. "Arabs, Saudis in particular, have now been evincing more interest in various destinations in Spain," said Bill Fontgivell, deputy director general and deputy general manager at Hotel Rey Juan Carlos 1, a business and city resort in Barcelona. "In fact, we've been getting Saudi families who spend in our five-star property from one to three weeks, especially since the 1992 Olympics," he said.

Switzerland remains one of the favorite destinations for Saudi families, said Yasser Noman of Zurich-based Kuoni Travel.

Helicopter transfers on request have been among the many attractions for Saudis across Swiss destinations.

Aside from Europe, Maldives is one other destination that is trying to attract Saudi families. The island state has villas costing as much as $5,000 a night, said Harsh Roopchand of Soneva Fushi and Soneva Gili — Six Senses Luxury Hotels of Maldives.

Their features include tree houses and spa suites. Malaysia remains one of the most favored destinations of Saudis in the Far East.

"Arabs in general feel at home in Malaysia due to the availability of Arabic-speaking staff and halal food. In addition, vacations in Malaysia cost much less than in Europe or elsewhere in the world," Brendan Wong of Dorsett Regency Hotel Kuala Lumpur said.

One other growing attraction for Saudi families has been to experience the marvels of the high seas, said Najeeb Mithvani of Dubai-based Star Cruise Management Ltd.

SuperStar Virgo is the newest and largest world-class megaship in Asia-Pacific that will appeal to the vacationer with comprehensive facilities, entertainment, recreational activities and services. "Of course, the 13-deck Virgo also offers the informality, flexibility and choice of freestyle cruising coupled with hospitality which have become the hallmarks of Star Cruises," he said. The company, which offers Asia-Pacific cruises from Singapore, is introducing cruises in India soon.

Zawfir Ziard, chief operations officer and managing director at Riyadh-based Unique Choice, a wholesale worldwide accommodation specialist who organized the road show, said the organization worked through 300 agents worldwide.