UAE travellers are going places in a big way, with outbound travel from the country posting a whopping 37 percent jump in booking value in recent weeks, data available with travel portals showed.
Tourism-related travel plans are poised for a further spike in the upcoming Eid Al Adha holiday season, with travel firms reporting a 9 percent increase in booking value already compared to last year’s holiday period.
“The significant increase in [outbound] travel bookings in the recent weeks indicates a growing desire among UAE residents to explore international destinations,” Atish Thapa, Head of business development at Cleartrip, the leading online travel agency (OTA) in GCC and India, told Arabian Business.
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Thapa said the recent bookings trend also revealed an 11 percent drop in inbound travel to the UAE.
Industry insiders said the huge jump in booking value for outbound travel from the UAE comes despite relatively lower airfares in recent weeks in the wake of some of the leading airlines announcing discounted fares as part of their promotional offers.
Industry executives said few other airlines are also offering lower fares as part of their summer break promotion campaigns.
Strong interest: UAE travellers ready
Thailand, Maldives, Georgia, and Indonesia are among the preferred destinations for Eid Al Adha season.
Thapa said according to the latest data, bookings for the upcoming Eid Al Adha holiday season is showing a promising trend.
The booking value is reported to be already 9 percent higher compared to last year’s Eid Al Adha period, and it is expected to see further jumps in the coming days.
“This indicates a strong interest and enthusiasm among travellers to embark on their holiday journeys during this festive time,” Thapa said.
He said there has been a noticeable shift towards shorter trips to nearby tourist destinations for this year’s Eid Al Adha holiday season.
The top destinations attracting travellers are Thailand, Maldives, South Africa, Georgia, and Indonesia, besides closer locations such as Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, Thapa said.
UAE residents are expected to get a six-day break during the upcoming Eid Al Adha holiday season, slated to commence on June 28.
Industry executives also said there is a noticeable spike in bookings for beach properties and 5-star resorts in Dubai, as well as few other emirates for the upcoming holiday season.
“The allure of pristine beaches, luxurious accommodations, and world-class amenities are emerging as the newly found attractions for tourists seeking a memorable beachside experience during this holiday season,” said a senior executive with a Dubai-based hospitality chain.
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