Saudi Arabia has emerged as the most popular international travel destination for residents of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in the last quarter of 2023, according to travel booking platform Wego.

Wego used data collected from over 10 million flight and hotel searches between October and December on the platform.

Saudi Arabia remained the number one choice for international trips during this period, having held the top spot since July 2023.

“We are thrilled to witness Saudi Arabia ascend as the foremost destination for travellers in the MENA region in Q4 of 2023. According to Wego’s data, the Kingdom stands out as a popular choice among travellers seeking a distinctive cultural experience and the opportunity to explore its diverse attractions,” said Mamoun Hmedan, Chief Business Officer, Wego.

Egypt and India rounded out the top three, as frequently required sources of employment and family connections in Gulf nations. Going as far back as 2014, Egypt has consistently been ranked first or second and India has invariably taken the third spot since 2016.

The United Kingdom maintained its lengthy reign as the preferred European destination from the Middle East.

Pakistan made the largest gain within the top ten, climbing two spots due to new airlines and eased restrictions, while Turkey slowly fell back to seventh place after being financially attractive earlier in 2023. Bargain hunters flocked to Turkey throughout mid-2022 and mid-2023 when its currency weakened against the dollar and to enjoy its more moderate summer weather.

Outside the rankings, Russia and China surged twelve and nine places respectively to the 21st and 23rd positions.