ALKHOBAR: A growing number of Saudi families are spending Eid Al-Fitr in hotels rather than at home this year, as so-called staycations begin to replace traditional domestic gatherings.
This trend is visible across major cities, with occupancy rates at high-end properties in Riyadh, Jeddah and Alkhobar approaching capacity during the Eid break, according to industry estimates.
For many families, this is driven by practicality. Hosting Eid at home often involves days of preparation, from cleaning and cooking to coordinating visits across extended family networks. A segment of urban Saudis is increasingly choosing to outsource that workload.
Hotels have responded by building packages around this demand. Major hospitality groups now offer Eid-specific stays that combine accommodation with shared meals, children’s activities, traditional performances and on-site prayer facilities.
The aim is to preserve the social aspects of Eid while removing the domestic labor behind it.
“In the past, my family spent the entire week before Eid cleaning the house and preparing food for 50 guests. Last year, we booked three suites at a local resort instead,” said Lulwa Al-Rashid, from Alkhobar.
“We had the big family breakfast, but the hotel handled everything. It was the first time my mother actually sat down and enjoyed the holiday without working.”
The trend aligns with national tourism targets.
The Saudi Tourism Authority has identified domestic travel as a key growth driver under Vision 2030, with the Kingdom aiming to increase tourism’s contribution to the gross domestic product to 10 percent by the end of the decade. More
By Waad Hussain, Arab News
