The ongoing school holiday in Saudi Arabia has led to a surge in hotel occupancy rates in Riyadh, causing room prices to hit unprecedented levels. Booking platforms report that room rates have soared due to high demand, particularly with the Riyadh Season festival in full swing.
Record-Breaking Room Prices During Riyadh’s School Holiday
Millions of students in Saudi Arabia are on a semester-end break, running through November 17. This holiday, which began on Thursday, has created a boom for Riyadh’s hospitality sector, with some five-star hotel rooms in the city center reaching SR7,000 per night, according to the Saudi news portal Sabq.
High Occupancy Rates Across Riyadh Hotels
- Central Riyadh and Airport Proximity: Occupancy rates at certain hotels in these areas have hit 100%.
- Citywide Rates: Overall, Riyadh hotels report a citywide occupancy rate of 76%.
- Apartments and Suites Demand: The prices for non-classified accommodations like apartments and suites are between SR8,000 and SR12,000 per night.
Riyadh Season Festival Boosts Tourism
This surge in hotel demand aligns with the fifth annual Riyadh Season, an entertainment and tourism festival that has become a major event for the city. As part of Saudi Arabia’s tourism drive, the government has launched initiatives to attract a record number of visitors, resulting in an increase of over 12,000 new hotel rooms.
Saudi Arabia’s Thriving Tourism Sector
The kingdom’s tourism industry has been rapidly expanding. In 2023, Saudi Arabia reached its target of 100 million tourists, including 77 million domestic and 27 million international visitors. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s vision aims to attract 150 million tourists annually by 2030.
Conclusion
With the Riyadh Season underway and school holidays boosting travel, Riyadh’s hotel sector is witnessing record-high occupancy and room rates. This momentum reflects Saudi Arabia’s strategic focus on transforming tourism into a major economic pillar.
