Travellers from the UAE are planning to go away for longer and spend more than usual on their summer holidays this year to make up for a lack of breaks abroad over the past two years, according to new data released by Marriott Bonvoy.
The report shows that among the 85 percent of people from the UAE who already know they will be heading abroad this summer – between June 2022 and September 2022 – approximately 98 percent of people have stated that they will be spending more than they usually would.
The respondents have stated that on average the increased expenditures would be approximately $3,200 (AED 11,832) per person, compared to their typical spend on summer holidays pre-Covid.
This increase in spend is being spearheaded by older holidaymakers aged over 65, who plan to spend an average of $6,900 (AED 25,416) more than they usually would, which is higher than any other age group.
Meanwhile, those aged 45-54 are most likely to be going on holiday, according to the report.
Return of longer holidays
Apart from spending more money on their holidays, travellers from the UAE are also planning to spend more time on holidays in 2022.
Among those heading abroad, almost three in every four travellers have stated that they plan to go away for longer than normal. For travellers aged over 65, more than eight in 10 travellers plan to take longer holidays.
Many travellers have not been on a long break in quite some time. In fact, 43 percent of the respondents have not been on a holiday of two weeks or longer in three years or more.
However, that looks set to change in 2022. More than six in 10 of those going abroad, plan to have at least one holiday that lasts a fortnight or more.
Figures from Marriott Bonvoy’s own data strongly back up this trend, showing that in Europe and the Middle East, the proportion of holidaymakers booking longer 8-14 day stays for this summer is double the 2019 figure.
Meanwhile, many will be looking forward to multiple holidays this summer. Two thirds (66 percent) say they will be going away on more holidays than usual between June and September this year – again rising to 78 percent for adults aged 55-64.
The increase in spend and time away is a direct result of the pandemic, with many making up for a lack of breaks in the past couple of years.
In fact, only 39 percent of people in the UAE say they have been on holiday abroad since the pandemic started. Meanwhile, 25 percent have not been abroad since summer 2019 – almost three years ago by this summer.
As such, over a third (37 percent) say they are determined to go away this summer, with 29% saying they felt holidays abroad were simply too risky during the past two years.
Likely a result of the pandemic, holidaymakers are seeking relaxing, stress-free breaks this summer.
More than a quarter (28 percent) say their priority for their summer holiday is that it is ‘as relaxing as possible’, while 37 percent say they are looking for a ‘hassle-free break with everything we need in the resort’.
Meanwhile, 25 percent are using this summer for a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list holiday, possibly contributing to the overall increase in spend, especially among older travelers.
Top summer destinations for UAE travellers
Marriott Bonvoy’s data is able to reveal where those from the UAE will be most likely to head for their extended breaks this summer.
The data shows that traditionally popular destinations UK and Italy will be the top summer destinations of choice for travellers.
The chief operating officer for the Middle East at Marriott International, Sandeep Walia, said: “We are seeing that travellers in the UAE are determined to get a proper escape this summer with the return of the longer summer holiday. Many are planning to spend significantly more, and go away for longer than pre-covid, to make up for two years of lost travel. This is very positive news for the travel industry after two tough years through the pandemic.
“Our customers are prioritising hassle-free breaks where they can relax and be looked after this year. I would encourage anyone who is looking to get away this summer who has not yet booked, to consider doing so soon, so they can look forward to a much needed summer break whether at home or abroad.”
The research includes data taken from Marriott Bonvoy’s Joy of Travel report, conducted among 14,000 consumers in Europe and the Middle East.
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