Saudis are world"s biggest spenders abroad - Visa

Saudi Arabian tourists are the world’s top spenders when abroad, according to Visa’s latest Global Travel Intentions Study 2013.

The figures showed that Saudis spend on average $6,666 per trip compared to the global average of $2,501.

The survey also showed that travellers intend to increase budgets for their next trip by an average of five percent this year.

According to the study, which surveyed 12,631 travellers from 25 countries, the average global travel budget of $2,390 per trip is set to increase to $2,501.

After Saudi Arabians, the top spenders also included Australian ($4,118) and Chinese travellers ($3,824).

Future travel budget increases are especially high among Asian markets with a predicted increase of 46 percent, the survey added.

Ross Jackson, head of Cross-Border in Asia Pacific, Central Europe, Middle East and Africa at Visa, said: “Global economic woes have been well-documented over the past few years but our Visa Global Travel Intentions Study 2013 hints at a change in both the financial landscape and consumer mindset, suggesting either economic recovery or a growing appetite for larger travel budgets.”

Visa’s Study revealed the United States ranked as the most popular destination choice for global travellers, followed by the United Kingdom, France and China, Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong.

The survey also said that the increasing popularity of the Middle East Africa is partially driven from within the region.

Among travellers across the world, respondents from the Middle East Africa indicated strong intention (76 percent) to travel more in the future – primarily residents from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE.

Much of this increased travel is expected to take place within the region and Asia where 24 percent of travellers in the region having chosen to take trips in the last two years.

Travellers from the Middle East and Africa are spending an average of $218 per day during their trip – slightly lower than the global average of $239 per day, the survey said.

Saudis are world"s biggest spenders abroad - Visa