Traditionally regarded as Umrah and Hajj destination, Saudi Arabia is picking up in popularity as a leisure destination among Indonesian travellers who are seeking experiential travel, observed Indonesia’s outbound players.
Yento Chen, CEO, Destination Tour Indonesia, has seen demand for Saudi Arabia rising over the past year, including from non-Muslim travellers, who are keen to explore new destinations. He shared that most clients are “curious and excited to see things” that they have heard about Saudi Arabia, such as tales like living in the desert and 1,001 Nights.
More Indonesian travellers are keen to learn more about and visit Saudi Arabia; Al Masmak Palace Museum in Riyadh, pictured (Photo: Sun_Shine)
Destination Tour Indonesia has sent its first Indonesian group of 15 pax to the kingdom last February, with group bookings up to the end of the year.
The six-day itinerary includes attractions such as Shubra Palace, Arrudaf Park, Old Town Jeddah, Harrat Viewpoint, Elephant Rock, and Al Masmak Fort – there are also plans to expand the programme to include the Red Sea and more off-the-beaten-path destinations for 2025.
Seeing the positive trend, Yento is confident that Saudi Arabia will be a hot destination for 2025, especially when “the development of tourism products, most of which are premium, are completed”, he added.
Likewise, Ricky Hilton, spokesperson at Golden Rama Tours & Travel, perceives Saudi Arabia as a new destination with huge tourism potential, having received several queries from priority customers who favoured experiential travel.
He shared: “Travellers in these markets are drawn by the exotic allure of Saudi Arabia as well as the luxury hotel chains that have flagged their brands there.”
This growing trend has prompted Golden Rama Tours & Travel to create new packages for sporting holidays, such as golf, and soft adventure activities like trekking, paragliding and horse riding.
The development of Soudah Peaks, a luxury mountain destination, and Sheybarah Islands are some attractions that can fulfil his clients’ preference for luxury and hidden gems, stated Ricky, adding that the four-day free visa facility for transit in Saudi will also help agents to develop more business.
“We can create a Europe plus Saudi package – this could be a favourite tour because it gives clients more choices of attractions and experiences,” he noted.
Aviatour’s director Jeffry Darjanto, however, opined that although Saudi Arabia is becoming a hot topic among the premium market, more information about the country as a tourist destination was still needed. Many queries persist on what attractions were available beyond Mecca and Madinah.
Jeffry also called for a closer collaboration between the NTO office in Jakarta and Indonesian outbound travel companies.
In the meantime, Pauline Suharno, managing director of Elok Tour, hopes that Saudi Tourism Authority will promote the destination through roadshows, travel marts or travel fairs to raise awareness on tourist spots.
She also pointed out the need for the Saudi Arabian government and tourism business stakeholders to train Indonesian travel agents to better understand the country’s tourism sector, including its attractions and offerings, so that they would be well-equipped to push Saudi Arabia’s tourism products to prospective travellers, especially to non-Muslim travellers.
Traditionally regarded as Umrah and Hajj destination, Saudi Arabia is picking up in popularity as a leisure destination among Indonesian travellers who are seeking experiential travel, observed Indonesia’s outbound players.
Yento Chen, CEO, Destination Tour Indonesia, has seen demand for Saudi Arabia rising over the past year, including from non-Muslim travellers, who are keen to explore new destinations. He shared that most clients are “curious and excited to see things” that they have heard about Saudi Arabia, such as tales like living in the desert and 1,001 Nights.
Destination Tour Indonesia has sent its first Indonesian group of 15 pax to the kingdom last February, with group bookings up to the end of the year.
The six-day itinerary includes attractions such as Shubra Palace, Arrudaf Park, Old Town Jeddah, Harrat Viewpoint, Elephant Rock, and Al Masmak Fort – there are also plans to expand the programme to include the Red Sea and more off-the-beaten-path destinations for 2025.
Seeing the positive trend, Yento is confident that Saudi Arabia will be a hot destination for 2025, especially when “the development of tourism products, most of which are premium, are completed”, he added.
Likewise, Ricky Hilton, spokesperson at Golden Rama Tours & Travel, perceives Saudi Arabia as a new destination with huge tourism potential, having received several queries from priority customers who favoured experiential travel.
He shared: “Travellers in these markets are drawn by the exotic allure of Saudi Arabia as well as the luxury hotel chains that have flagged their brands there.”
This growing trend has prompted Golden Rama Tours & Travel to create new packages for sporting holidays, such as golf, and soft adventure activities like trekking, paragliding and horse riding.
The development of Soudah Peaks, a luxury mountain destination, and Sheybarah Islands are some attractions that can fulfil his clients’ preference for luxury and hidden gems, stated Ricky, adding that the four-day free visa facility for transit in Saudi will also help agents to develop more business.
“We can create a Europe plus Saudi package – this could be a favourite tour because it gives clients more choices of attractions and experiences,” he noted.
Aviatour’s director Jeffry Darjanto, however, opined that although Saudi Arabia is becoming a hot topic among the premium market, more information about the country as a tourist destination was still needed. Many queries persist on what attractions were available beyond Mecca and Madinah.
Jeffry also called for a closer collaboration between the NTO office in Jakarta and Indonesian outbound travel companies.
In the meantime, Pauline Suharno, managing director of Elok Tour, hopes that Saudi Tourism Authority will promote the destination through roadshows, travel marts or travel fairs to raise awareness on tourist spots.
She also pointed out the need for the Saudi Arabian government and tourism business stakeholders to train Indonesian travel agents to better understand the country’s tourism sector, including its attractions and offerings, so that they would be well-equipped to push Saudi Arabia’s tourism products to prospective travellers, especially to non-Muslim travellers.