Following two years of global coronavirus-related restrictions, UAE residents are among the many consumers taking to the skies this Eid holiday in what is being dubbed as “revenge travelling.”
Rising airfare prices, however, have put a damper on international travel and ensured that the market of staycations is here to stay.
“Even though travel restrictions have eased up, and people have a need of revenge traveling, the popularity to go on staycations will always remain,” said Jatinder Singh, director of sales and marketing at W Abu Dhabi, Yas Island.
“Besides the fact revenge travelling has increased lately, so has the airfare due to the increase of the fuel pricing which could eventually impact the travelling in the near future to decrease again. However, the urge to escape your day-to-day life and charge the batteries will remain,” he continued.
Cost aside, several other factors make UAE-based staycations attractive for some residents.
“Staycations are an easy getaway for those who would like to go on a quick escape within a limited time frame. W Abu Dhabi – Yas Island often seeks to attract the staycationers either by a lucrative food and beverage offering or leveraging on exciting happenings on Yas Island,” said Singh.
“Additionally, pet owners are not able to travel as easily, hence also another reason why they might seek to go on a staycation with their pet,” he added.
Will residents travel during Eid despite increased air fares?
Others in the travel industry believe that the easing of coronavirus related travel restrictions in many global cities, coupled with pent-up demand and savings, will motivate UAE residents to travel regardless of the increased airfare.
“In efforts to revive and stimulate the economy and reopen the country and economy to global trade and tourism, air travel regulations and entry requirements for foreigners have been relaxed/removed in many parts of the world, leading to the removal of a large portion of uncertainty,” said Linus Benjamin Bauer, founder & managing director, Bauer Aviation Advisory (BAA).
“The higher confidence and motivation to travel again after being locked in for two years is linked to the higher willingness to pay (WTP) for the increased airfare for the flight from A to B. Over the past two years, the increase in household savings has led to a higher willingness to pay for the next trip,” he continued.
Expected on the books this Eid holiday are short-haul trips to regional destinations or trips home to see family and friends, said Bauer.
“There is also a higher appreciation for travel and exploring new regional places (e.g. Saudi Arabia). ‘Revenge travel’ and ‘escape tourism’ are emerging trends after two years locked in the home country, driven by the increasing awareness about mental wellbeing (e.g., travel) and work-life balance,” said Bauer.
“The Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) segment will drive the travel recovery and experience higher growth than in pre-Covid-19 times. Being reunited with loved ones after a long time still has higher priority above everything else these days. The upcoming Eid break will prove that.
“Airlines (especially low-cost carriers) have been busy with re-establishing their networks in the post-Covid-19 recovery phase, with a key focus on regional connectivity. With an uptick in regional leisure and VFR travel to countries like Saudi Arabia for the Eid break, airlines will be putting their hope on decent passenger volume and market share gains during the long-awaited Eid break and summer season,” added Bauer.
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