‘Staycation’ Trend Rises in Saudi Arabia; Hotel Bookings Hit Record Levels for Eid-ul-Fitr

Al Khobar: This year, an increasing number of Saudi families are choosing to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr in hotels rather than at home, as so-called “staycations”—spending holidays at a hotel—are now taking the place of traditional home-based celebrations.

According to industry estimates, this trend is being observed across all major cities; in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar, bookings at major hotels are nearly full for the duration of the Eid holidays.

For many families, the primary reason for this shift is convenience. Celebrating Eid at home often entails days of preparation—ranging from cleaning and cooking to coordinating visits with extended family members. A segment of urban Saudis now prefers to delegate this burden of domestic chores to others.

In response to this demand, hotels have curated special packages. Major hotel chains are now offering exclusive Eid stay packages that include accommodation, comprehensive dining arrangements for everyone, children’s activities, traditional cultural programs, and facilities for performing Eid prayers right within the hotel premises.

The objective is to preserve the social aspects of Eid while simultaneously relieving families of the burden of household chores.

Lulwa Al-Rashid, a resident of Al Khobar, explains: “Previously, my family would spend the entire week leading up to Eid cleaning the house and cooking for 50 guests. Last year, however, we booked three suites at a local resort instead.”

“We had breakfast together as a family, but the hotel staff handled all the other arrangements. It was the first time my mother was truly able to sit back, relax, and enjoy the holiday without having to do any work.”

This trend also aligns with the country’s broader tourism objectives.

Under its “Vision 2030” framework, the Saudi Tourism Authority has identified domestic tourism as a key driver of growth; the country aims to increase the tourism sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 10 percent by the end of this decade. In the local tourism calendar, the Eid period stands out as one of the times of peak demand.

Furthermore, thanks to investments made in tourism-related infrastructure, people now have access to a wide array of options.

Tourism development projects—such as the ‘Red Sea Project’—along with the growing number of ’boutique hotels’ in urban centers, have elevated the standard of domestic tourism to new heights.

For some families, these shifts have even transformed their long-standing travel habits. “We used to feel that, to truly enjoy a vacation, we had to travel to Europe or Dubai.

“Now, with the new developments in Al-Ula and the Red Sea… there is no longer any need to deal with the hassles of the airport,” said Fahad Al-Otaibi from Riyadh.

Nevertheless, not everyone welcomes this new way of celebrating the holidays. Some Saudis—particularly those residing in older neighborhoods—argue that shifting celebrations to hotels diminishes the vibrancy and spontaneity that were once the hallmarks of Eid.

Visiting between homes, keeping doors open to all, and mingling with people on the streets have historically been central to the festive atmosphere.

The hotel environment—even when hosting special events—offers a comparatively confined experience, and comes at a higher financial cost.

Younger Saudis, however, view this shift through a different lens. For them, celebrating the holidays at a resort or hotel is less about abandoning traditions and more about reimagining them in a new light.

“It’s not about getting away from the family; rather, we prefer to make the time we spend together more memorable and meaningful,” said Mona Al-Zahrani from Jeddah.

“When we are at a resort, our attention isn’t divided by household chores or minor domestic responsibilities… after a month of fasting, it feels like a true reward.” This trend is also transforming spending patterns. The budget previously earmarked for trips to international tourist destinations—such as Dubai, London, or Istanbul—is now being largely spent within the country itself.

This reallocation of funds is also generating economic ripple effects. Staying at domestic hotels provides support to local hoteliers, staff, and service providers, thereby ensuring that the majority of holiday-related expenditure remains within the national economy.

Alongside this shift in vacationing habits, Eid is emerging not merely as an occasion for social gatherings, but also as a mirror reflecting how the lifestyles of the nation’s people are evolving under the framework of ‘Vision 2030’.