UK, India, Thailand have secured as the most popular holiday choices this festive season according to the latest data collected by Skyscanner. For journeys departing between December 20 and December 31, travellers are favouring destinations that offer both seasonal festivities and opportunities for relaxation. London, Mumbai, and Bangkok have emerged as key favourites for bookings, showcasing their enduring appeal for family reunions and cultural exploration. The most popular departure dates fall between December 14 and 18, as travellers opt to extend their holiday breaks for maximum enjoyment. Round-trip bookings dominate, emphasising the importance of smooth travel experiences for UAE residents. Search data from September to early December reveals that travellers are gravitating toward a mix of destinations, with the United Kingdom, India, and Thailand among the most popular choices. City hotspots like London, Bangkok, and Istanbul continue to captivate UAE travellers, offering a blend of cultural experiences and festive charm. Alongside these bustling hubs, tranquil escapes such as the Maldives and Turkey’s coastal retreats have also seen a surge in demand. As the festive season is upon us, travellers across the UAE are eagerly awaiting their end-of-year escapes. Skyscanner’s latest data highlights the top destinations and trends shaping holiday travel plans, offering a glimpse into where UAE residents are heading to celebrate the season. For travellers still finalising plans, Skyscanner’s tools, such as price alerts and flexible booking options, provide the ideal solution to secure the best deals and make the most of their festive holidays.
Read More »35% increase in international bookings from the UAE in July and August 2024 : dnata Travel
dnata Travel reported a 35% increase in bookings for international travel across July and August 2024, compared to the same timings last year. As one of the busiest weekends forecasted for travel fast approaches, the travel agency is supporting thousands of travellers with pre-booked itineraries and last-minute requests across its multiple channels, including 14 retail outlets across the country. For July and August, dnata Travel’s most popular destinations for international travel from the UAE are Thailand, Maldives, Mauritius, Turkey, and the UK, respectively. Compared to trends released earlier this summer, Mauritius has emerged to enter the ‘top three’ most-booked holiday destinations. Across summer 2024, the island country is one of the fastest-growing holiday locations for dnata’s travellers, alongside Germany and Malaysia. International trips are on the agenda for this popular time for summer travel, dominating a 90% majority of overall bookings this year, compared to 10% for UAE staycations. In comparison, the split was reported by dnata Travel experts as 65% international and 35% staycations over the Eid al-Adha break for 2024, with demand for outbound travel witnessing a significant increase. Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel, commented: “International travel is in high demand this summer, with destinations including Mauritius, Malaysia, and Germany witnessing some of the strongest growth we’ve seen this year. Mauritius and Malaysia offer the chance to stay on world-class beaches and in exceptional resorts at affordable prices. Kuala Lumpur is also a popular destination in Asia for a city break for its impressive skyline, and opportunities for shopping and dining. Meanwhile, Germany’s vibrant cities are popular this month, as travellers seek to soak up the action of the UEFA European Football …
Read More »Egypt, UK, Thailand become top summer spots for UAE travellers
According to Skyscanner Egypt, United Kingdom, Thailand, Turkey and Everywhere are the most popular searches by UAE travellers this summer. As residents begin planning their summer holidays, global travel marketplace, Skyscanner reveals the top destinations offering great price deals for UAE travellers. Findings also revealed that June is the most popular month for travel searches during the summer, in comparison to July and August. This summer, UAE residents are exploring a variety of captivating destinations that offer a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural enrichment. Whether you’re seeking a quick getaway or a longer vacation, these trending spots* promise unforgettable experiences. 1. Egypt Discover the magic of Egypt, a destination offering rich history, ancient treasures and a vibrant culture. This summer, explore the majestic pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and the world’s longest river, Nile. Whether you’re a history buff, a beach lover or a foodie, Egypt promises an experience like no other. Prices starting from AED 329 2. United Kingdom Explore the allure of the United Kingdom, a trending destination for summer 2024. From the iconic landmarks of London, such as the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and the vibrant West End, to the historic charm of Edinburgh with its majestic castle and the enchanting Royal Mile, the UK offers a blend of history, culture, and modern attractions. Enjoy world-class museums, quaint villages, and lively festivals that bring the streets to life. Prices starting from AED 376 3. Thailand Embark on an unforgettable journey to Thailand, and discover the country’s pristine beaches, lush forests, and vibrant cities. Thailand offers a perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural discovery. Dive into the azure waters of the Andaman Sea or the …
Read More »International bookings double in volume from the UAE for Eid al-Fitr 2024 : dnata Travel
dnata Travel revealed that bookings with UAE travellers for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr break this April have more than doubled in volume compared to 2023 levels. In previous years, the UAE-based travel agency has seen a close-to-equal split between the choice for a staycation or travelling internationally with UAE residents during the first Eid break. The split is weighing heavier this year towards outbound travel at 60% of all bookings, compared to 40% for local stays. The most popular destinations for holiday bookings over Eid al-Fitr 2024 from the UAE are Maldives, Thailand, Italy, Mauritius, and the USA, respectively. Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel, commented: “An extended break is anticipated for Eid celebrations this April, and travellers are making the most of the opportunity with bookings being made further in advance and to long-haul destinations including across Asia and the USA. “The Indian Ocean islands of the Maldives and Mauritius, alongside Thailand, are popular for travellers year-round with tropical climates and accessibility to the UAE. This year, Italy and the USA are trending for the Eid break compared to 2023. Travellers are heading to the Italian cities of Rome and Venice, whilst in the US, stays in New York City and Las Vegas are proving most popular.” The dnata Travel team is launching a range of bespoke holiday packages for UAE travellers with last-minute availability remaining across the Eid al-Fitr break this April. Highlights include five-star stays with airport transfers and meals included across popular destinations in the Maldives, Seychelles, Hong Kong, and Bali, alongside an extensive tour of Sri Lanka’s top sights, amongst other attractive holiday package offers.
Read More »Thailand grants visa exemption to Chinese and Kazakhstani tourists from 25 September 2023
Effective until 29 February 2024, the five-month stimulus visa scheme is aimed to help reach this year’s tourism revenue target of 2.38 trillion Baht. The Royal Thai Government led by Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Srettha Thavisin has announced the temporary tourist visa exemption scheme to passport holders of the People’s Republic of China and Republic of Kazakhstan effective from 25 September 2023 to 29 February 2024, to achieve this year’s tourism revenue target of 2.38 trillion Baht. Chinese and Kazakhstani nationals will be granted a temporary visa exemption for a 30-day stay on tourism purpose in Thailand during the five-month visa exemption period.
Read More »Thailand ranks top for summer holidays from the UAE in 2023 : dnata Travel
With the Eid al-Adha break fast approaching, dnata Travel has revealed the most popular holiday hotspots over summer in 2023. In order of popularity, the ten most booked destinations are: Thailand, Turkey, Italy, UK, Greece, Maldives, Bali, Mauritius, Switzerland and Oman. dnata Travel’s experts have also revealed an 18% increase in international holiday bookings from June to September 2023 so far, compared to the same timings in 2022. As the most popular destination, Thailand is taking 23% of dnata Travel bookings across the summer. Within the country, the capital city Bangkok, alongside the islands of Phuket and Krabi are the top three locations for UAE travellers. Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel, commented: “A pent-up demand is driving travellers to explore more of the world, including lesser-known places and varied locations across popular hotspots. In addition to the ever-popular destinations of Thailand, Turkey, Italy and UK, we have seen a notable increase in travel to Greece in particular, compared to the same period last year. “Thailand is our top growth destination, with demand driven by a rise in availability of flights, the country’s incredible value-for-money proposition, world-class accommodation, and varied experiences.” A majority of summer bookings are for Eid al-Adha, where dnata Travel’s top ten international destinations remain consistent. Across the summer, 80% of bookings are for international travel, while the remaining 20% cover UAE staycations. Bookings to Hong Kong, Japan, South Africa, and Denmark are trending compared to 2022, with Austria, Spain, Singapore and Sri Lanka also growing in popularity. dnata Travel experts continuously monitor trends and work with long-standing international partners to offer exclusive rates and added extras for the local market, alongside …
Read More »Mabrian unveils new travel trends for Russian tourists in 2022: Turkey, UAE tops the list
According to the survey conducted by Mabrian, tourist destinations in the Middle East and Asia are gaining in importance, especially Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Thailand. As for closer proximity tourism, Georgia, Armenia, and Kazakhstan have now become part of the top 20 preferred destinations for Russians in 2022. The study is based on an analysis of the hotel demand of the Russian travelers and the average hotel room price in the more than 700 destinations worldwide during 2022, comparing with 2019 trends. To do it, the Mabrian’s team has used its Travel Intelligence platform to analyse the more than 2 million reviews posted by Russians and the published hotel prices in the main OTA’s (Booking, Expedia and TripAdvisor) for these two years. According to Carlos Cendra, Director of Marketing & Sales at Mabrian: “As one of the largest source markets for international tourism over the last 20 years, the Russian market plays a crucial role in the global travel industry, and in recent times it has become essential for destinations and companies to understand their evolving trends and preferences. Our study shows that the Russian travel market has been deeply impacted with current situation. Much less travelers and a changing profile with tourists exploring new destinations in the Middle East, Asia, and neighboring countries all of which seem very keen to capture market share by welcoming Russian travelers.” Meanwhile, the classic European tourist destinations, including Italy, Germany, France, Spain, and Greece, have had the most significant negative impact based on the current situation, showing a drastic decrease in the presence of Russian tourists who used to frequent these destinations in 2019. Of all the countries impacted, Italy has …
Read More »dnata Travel: Thailand emerges on top for summer holidays with UAE travellers as bookings soar
dnata Travel reveals that Thailand is the most popular destination for UAE travellers for summer holidays in 2022. Experts at the UAE-based travel brand are recording a 185% increase in the total number of travel bookings made for summer 2022 so far compared to the same time period in 2021. A total 64% of hotel bookings are for international properties, while 34% represent UAE staycations across the country. The top ten destinations for UAE travellers to book a holiday package, including flights and hotels, with dnata Travel at the time of publishing, are: Thailand, Maldives, Turkey, Mauritius, UK, Indonesia, Italy, USA, Spain and France, respectively. Flight-only leisure travel bookings are also proving popular to visit friends and relatives, with top destinations including India, Egypt, Philippines, Turkey, and the UK, most concentrated during the time of the anticipated Eid al-Adha break in July. Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel, commented: “The top five holiday destinations for UAE travellers in 2022 have typically made up our top locations for international travel bookings pre-pandemic. With more locations opening up to travellers this year and with eased restrictions, we have witnessed our 2021 summer holiday hotspots the Maldives and Turkey joined once again by ever-popular destinations Thailand, Mauritius and the UK. “Thailand has risen quickly to become the top-choice international holiday destination for UAE travellers in summer 2022 since it reopened for tourism. Alongside the world-class resorts, experiences, food and abundance of natural attractions that the country has to offer, cost-effective holiday offers across its cities and islands are extremely popular.” The top locations of choice for UAE travellers to Thailand this summer with dnata Travel are Bangkok, Phuket …
Read More »Air Arabia launch new service to Phuket from 2nd July
The Tourism Authority of Thailand has confirmed that travelers who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 from low-risk countries will be allowed to fly direct to the popular holiday destination without having to quarantine from July 1. Visitors will only need to stay in the area they landed for seven days before they can visit other destinations in the country. Air Arabia is offering its customers a competitive fare to Phuket, starting from AED 1799 return per value fare booking. Located in the south of Thailand, Phuket is the largest and one of the most fun of all islands. Phuket has it all: diverse entertainment options, top-class shopping venues and some of the most gorgeous beaches. Customers can now book their direct flights between Sharjah and Phuket by visiting Air Arabia’s website, by calling the call centre or through travel agencies. Ensuring the highest standards of safety at every step of the journey by following all health and safety protocols, Air Arabia has also added to the convenience and confidence of passengers by introducing free COVID-19 insurance coverage. The insurance is automatically included as part of the booking and no additional documents are required from passengers.
Read More »Tune in today at 11am UAE time for Amazing Thailand
Over the years, Thailand has become one of the most visited destinations by GCC travellers. Join in for the special webinar on August 10, 2020 at 11am UAE time to find out more information on some of the most amazing offerings offered to the GCC clientele. For registration call or email Crisna on crisna@ddppl.com or +971554704200. The session will really be a good platform for all the agents in GCC as they will be fully equipped with updated products and services as well as off-the-beaten-path regions in Thailand for Arab Millennials. GCC clientele are always on the look-out for new destinations that offer unique experiences which Thailand has a whole host of other interesting products that can add a lot more value to the travellers. This webinar will take the agents on a trip to learn about Shopping, Dining and Sightseeing products, Polls, Hotels presentations from The Peninsula and Sofitel Sukhumvit Bangkok, Q&A and last but not least the giveaways for the agents who can answer the questions.
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