Tourism & Hospitality | Tuesday 10 February, 2015 2:00 am |

A survey commissioned by British Airways revealed that 31 per cent of residents of Saudi Arabia travelled long-haul only once over a period of twelve months. To encourage people who have made the New Year’s resolution to travel more frequently, British Airways is launching special fares to the UK, Europe, USA and Canada.

“We want to encourage people to experience new destinations first hand and start the New Year on the go.” said Paolo De Renzis, British Airways’ Area Commercial Manager for the Middle East and Central Asia. “The geographical position of the Middle East, intersecting between Europe, Asia and Africa, offers unparalleled opportunities to travel frequently to different continents.”

For travel enthusiasts deciding where to fly, British Airways has created a list of top destinations to visit in 2015. The list includes a few far flung locations, combined with other attractive European and North American destinations that are a favourite with travellers from Saudi Arabia. Passengers flying with British Airways can choose from the airline’s network of 179 destinations and enjoy the best of British hospitality in the skies.

Additionally, London is the perfect transfer hub for travellers from Saudi Arabia who are flying elsewhere in Europe or North America. The survey also revealed that 31 per cent of residents of Saudi Arabia voted for London as their preferred city break and with British Airways, passengers can take advantage of a stopover in London to explore a city that is home to well-known landmarks and is renowned for its world-class shopping.

For travellers looking to enjoy a city holiday in Europe or North America, British Airways suggests Berlin, Seattle and Seville as leading favourites as part of the British Airways list of top destinations for 2015. For beach goers and people looking to unwind or enjoy a bit of surfing, the destinations that made it on the 2015 beach breaks list include Barbados and Greece among others.

De Renzis added, “In 2015, we want to offer people the chance to travel long-haul more than once a year and visit some of our top destinations for 2015 that have been picked because they provide unique and attractive experiences.”

The British Airways sale across all cabins will run from 8 February to 15 February, and allows for travel from 8 February to 30 June 2015. Fares start from as little as SAR 2,877* from Saudi Arabia to the UK and Europe, and SAR 3,896* to the USA and Canada across the World Traveller cabins. For Club World bookings from Saudi Arabia to Europe, fares start from SAR 11,392*. A full timetable of British Airways' flights to London and beyond is available online at ba.com, where customers can find the lowest fares and book, pay and check-in online for their flights.