Tag Archives: UAE travellers

dnata has partnered with Mauritius Tourism as it aims to attract more travellers from the UAE in 2024. Mauritius Tourism has appointed dnata Representation Services as its sales, marketing, and PR representative in the UAE, to provide localised booking support and share top rates, latest news, itineraries and more from the destination with travellers across the country. The collaboration will focus on showcasing trending experiences for 2024, including the island’s diverse proposition beyond its famous shorelines. In recent years, Mauritius has become an increasingly popular destination among UAE-based travellers. With an impressive 62% increase in travellers from the UAE to the country recorded by Mauritius Tourism between 2015 and 2023, passenger arrivals continue to show steady growth in 2024. Rakhi Purohit, Head of Representation Services at dnata, commented: “Mauritius is a location known for its world-class beaches, but it offers much more for travellers seeking extraordinary adventures. From hiking in National Parks to enjoying diverse culinary experiences, some of the world’s most unique natural landscapes and picture-perfect golf courses – there’s something for everyone. We look forward to bringing the island’s host of authentic and meaningful experiences closer to the UAE’s avid traveller base in 2024.” Popular locations across the island for UAE travellers include the beaches of Flic en Flac, Tamarin and Le Morne on its West and South West Coast, where the country witnesses its most sunshine, and offers some of its most impressive natural landscapes, luxury resorts, dining and entertainment options. Donald Payen, Chairman of the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, added: “Mauritius may be best known for its stunning, tropical landscapes including its exceptional beaches and azure waters, but a key element we want to showcase to …

According to Wego data, international flight bookings from the UAE for travel in February have surpassed the numbers during the same period last year by 70.1%. The consecutive occurrence of Ramadan, Eid al Fitr, and spring break in 2024 is anticipated to encourage the same YoY leap in bookings for trips scheduled in the coming months. Wego revealed the top travel trends for Ramadan 2024 in the UAE.  Wego has noted a spike in demand for flight and hotel reservations from the UAE in the lead up to the festive season. As we enter the holy month of Ramadan, Wego data showed that airfares to some destinations may get even more expensive this year. The average airfare to the Philippines, a favored destination for UAE travelers, is now AED 1,331.93, compared to AED 895.56 in 2023. Meanwhile, YoY average prices for flights to the UK and Germany have risen by 23.88% and 60.42% respectively. Wego anticipates that ticket prices for popular destinations will continue to climb, especially with more families potentially planning getaways during the holidays. Surge in hotel occupancy and room prices Amidst a bustling month teeming with significant events like the Gulfood trade show, Dubai Duty Free tennis championships among others, Dubai has observed an uptick in hotel occupancy rates in February 2024, with bookings on Wego surpassing last year’s figures by 23.2%. Concurrently, the average Dubai hotel room rates have experienced a YoY surge of 20.3%. Dubai hotel occupancy and daily rates may still move in an upward trajectory through the next few months, as Wego’s data indicates that demands for staycations among UAE residents also typically grow during Ramadan weekends and Eid al Fitr holiday. High travel …

Osaka, Japan witnessed 305% search increase from UAE as for Emiratis or UAE nationals it is visa on arrival and Japan introduced the e-visa system for expatriates who live in the UAE making it one of the most sought after destinations over the past few months. Taking the second place in travel searches by UAE travellers Antalya saw an increase of 273% followed by Tokyo Japan with 250%, Rome took the 4th position with 154% and Berlin at 5th position with 96%. In terms of the experiences that were booked by travellers cultural and personal experiences were some of the rising trends seen.

72% of UAE travellers would attend concerts in a different country according to the latest research from Skyscanner. 38% of UAE travellers would fly short haul to see their favourite artist live. As the year begins, the travel trends are changing immensely. The terminology used is ‘Gig tripping’ which is one of the new travel vibes revealed. Catching their favourite artist abroad is the way forward in 2024. If international artists will not be playing in Dubai, the UAE travellers will opt to travel to whichever country the artist will perform. With some superstars announcing big international tours, there is more interest now in travelling abroad to catch a show.

Skyscanner data reveals the driving forces behind UAE travellers’ choices in 2023 with Manila claiming its spot as the most popular destination in 2023. Cairo was the second most popular destination for UAE travellers this year. Renowned for the Giza Pyramids, including the Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the Sphinx, the city seamlessly blends ancient wonders with a vibrant modern atmosphere. The Capital city of Philippines, Manila, offers a blend of rich history, cultural attractions, and modern amenities. From its historical landmarks like the walled city of Intramuros, to it delicious street food options and lively nightlife and shopping scenes, UAE travellers cherished exploring the vibrant city that never rests. This year, more and more UAE travellers opted for alternative, budget-friendly destinations that still deliver on culture and cuisine. According to Skyscanner’s data, the capital city of Türkiye, Ankara, was one of the cheapest flight destinations with return flights costing just AED 491 on average in 2023. Showcasing historical and cultural treasures with panoramic views of the city, Ankara is renowned for its bustling markets, scrumptious Turkish cuisine, and nightlife. As revealed in the infographic, Skyscanner has also identified the cheapest destination to book per month for UAE travellers throughout 2023***, as well as the cheapest three-star hotel stay and city to hire a car in 2023:**** • After analysing prices across thousands of destinations globally, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India is revealed as the cheapest city for a three-star hotel stay, for those travelling from the UAE, costing approximately AED 92. • Bucharest comes out on top as the city with the cheapest car hire offering, with UAE travellers paying only AED 69 …

According to Skyscanner’s latest research, in association with OnePoll, a huge 98% of UAE travellers are open to travelling to more alternative or lesser-known destinations with more than three quarters (77%) saying they would be likely to swap their holiday favourites for an alternative option if it meant they were likely to save money.  Ayoub El Mamoun, Skyscanner Travel Expert, says,  “The desire for new and alternative destinations appears to be increasing this year, as in 2022, only 41% of global travellers surveyed said that they wanted to explore new places versus returning to an old favourite. We’re seeing a big uplift in the number of searches for underrated destinations from the UAE, including Hanoi (+373%) and Osaka (+332%) to name a few.  With almost half (48%) of UAE travellers yet to book their summer holiday this year, according to our latest research, and 41% of those admitting that they’re still deciding on where to go, Skyscanner is on hand to help find them find a lesser known and cheaper alternative to their usual holiday hot spot.” Over three quarters (76%) of UAE travellers already prefer alternative holiday destinations versus the more tried and true classic hotspots (20%), citing cost savings (24%) and the ability to escape the crowds (27%) as their top reasons why. Skyscanner data reveals it pays to swap. For example, UAE travellers when looking for a European city break could swap popular Paris (with return flights from Abu Dhabi AED 308 this August) for the lesser-known city of Bucharest (with return flights from AED 171 this August) and save 44% on the cost of their flights alone. Head to the old town in Bucharest to discover …

According to the latest information by Skyscanner on the Eid Al Fitr break, 24th April seems to be the most popular departure date with 65% travellers. Almost half of travellers (49%) from the UAE are searching for a trip of a week or less while (39%) are looking for trips that are 1-2 weeks long. Everywhere Search appeared as the second most popular ‘searched for’ destination. And the Top 10 Searched Countries from the UAE for Eid Al Fitr:           India, UK, Egypt, Philippines, Italy, Indonesia, USA, Maldives, Thailand and Pakistan. For a short break the Middle East is a goldmine with culturally rich, gastronomically diverse and architecturally elegant destinations. Best of all, most of them are less than a three-hour flight from the UAE, including Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. Ayoub El Mamoun, Skyscanner Travel Expert said: “With Eid approaching, travellers from the Middle East are planning their trips to make the most out of their time and prioritising quality time to spend with family and friends abroad, and with so many great places to choose from, the options can be overwhelming. The best way to make sure you choose the right destination that saves you time and money is by using the Everywhere Search tool that will give you the best options for your trip.” Live flight deals for Eid Al Fitr from the UAE: Dubai to Saudi Arabia from AED 631, Dubai to Kuwait from AED 865, Abu Dhabi to India from AED1,237 and Sharjah to Philippines from AED2,684. Skyscanner’s Ayoub shares, “There are multiple ways to get to a destination – direct flights, stopovers and airport switches. But when it comes to mini breaks, speed is …

The first and biggest world-class shopping destination in Thailand, bringing together all-encompassing shopping, dining, attractions, and entertainment options, it is a one-stop location for all a tourist could need in the Thai capital. Siam Paragon is an ultimate lifestyle destination in Thailand. With Thailand re-opening its doors to the world in recent months, it is better now than ever to plan a trip to this majestic Asian nation. Located in the heart of Bangkok, this unrivalled shopping mall is a must visit locale in the Land of Smiles. The mall features extensive shopping options including the world’s most luxury fashion outlets, top quality food vendors, amazing attractions, and convenient accommodation choices in Siam Kempinski. Offering many services for UAE residents including prayers rooms, free WIFI throughout the whole mall, and a superb tourist card that gives guests incredible discount in several outlets, it really has it all for tourists to Thailand’s capital. The mall has gathered stores, places of entertainment, tourist check-ins, as well as world-class restaurants into one location, delivering unique experiences. Siam Paragon also includes the lavish Dii Aesthetics, the biggest aquarium on the Southeast Asian mainland in SEALIFE Bangkok, a range of local and international culinary options from popular street food to Michelin Star quality, and a whole host of high-quality shopping choices.   Siam Paragon has recently been recognised for its brilliance as a luxury lifestyle destination by receiving some highly coveted awards. The superb mall was the recipients of multiple awards within the last year including “Best Luxury Mall 2022”, “TripAdvisor’s Traveler Choice 2022” and “Best SHA award” from the Thai government for their efforts during the pandemic, which really shows how it embodies the …