almatar Group for Travel and Tourism recently hosted a delegation from Expedia Group at its headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to celebrate a successful partnership and discuss avenues for strategic collaboration. This alliance aims to increase Expedia’s market share in Saudi Arabia and attract more international travelers to the Kingdom, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s goals to position tourism as a key economic pillar.
Faisal Al Rajhi, CEO of almatar Group, stated:
“These discussions come at a time of unprecedented growth in Saudi Arabia’s travel and tourism sector, driven by digital transformation and increased internet adoption. Through this partnership, we aim to enhance innovation in delivering integrated travel services that meet the needs of both local and international customers.”
Remarkable Growth in the Saudi Travel Market
Al Rajhi highlighted that the Saudi travel market saw significant growth in 2023, with 99% internet penetration and 91% of Saudi travelers using digital platforms for booking flights and hotels. almatar ’s app, ranked among the most downloaded in the Kingdom, is a prime example of the success of digital transformation in the local travel sector.
Expansion Across the Middle East
On a regional level, Al Rajhi noted that the Middle East’s travel sector grew by 13% in 2023, with forecasts predicting total bookings to surpass $127 billion by 2027. This growth is fueled by substantial investments in infrastructure and increasing demand for travel from regional markets.
Expedia’s Global Presence
Expedia is recognized as a global leader in the travel sector, operating in over 70 countries with nearly 200 websites. The company leverages advanced technology, processing 70 petabytes of data and delivering over 800 billion predictions annually through artificial intelligence. Al Rajhi remarked:
“Having a partner of Expedia’s technological caliber strengthens our position as a leader in adopting cutting-edge digital solutions in the travel sector.”
Enhancing the Tourism Experience
Expedia offers diverse services catering to various traveler needs, including:
- Expedia.com: A comprehensive platform for booking flights, hotels, and car rentals.
- Hotels.com: Specializing in hotel reservations.
- Vrbo: Focused on vacation home rentals.
- Trivago: A platform for comparing hotel prices.
The partnership between almatar and Expedia represents a strategic move to support Saudi Arabia’s efforts to establish itself as a premier global tourism destination. Through this collaboration, both companies will deliver innovative services that align with customer expectations and contribute to Saudi Vision 2030 by reinforcing tourism as a key economic driver.