During the summer travel season, high-end travellers from the UAE prefer popular and expensive destinations across Asia and other visa-friendly countries, while budget-conscious residents opt for more economical destinations in the region and Indian subcontinent due to challenges in obtaining visas for Schengen countries. Lack of appointment slots for Schengen visas has made it extremely difficult for UAE residents to secure visas, leading them to explore alternative options in order to travel during the summer break. As a result, industry executives have identified Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Latvia, Slovenia, and the city of Abha in Saudi Arabia as emerging popular destinations for this summer.
Affluent UAE travellers are choosing to visit Bali, Turkey, and the Maldives, while Raheesh Babu, COO of Musafir.com, notes that customers are gravitating towards destinations that offer hassle-free visas to UAE tourists. Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Turkey, and CIS countries are becoming popular choices among travellers due to the ease of securing appointments and visas. Musafir has also established a special arrangement with Schengen countries to facilitate visas for local travellers and promote tourism in European countries.
Outbound travel in the region has seen an increase as people seek cooler climes during the summer season. Middle Eastern airlines reported a 9.7% year-on-year increase in demand in May, surpassing capacity growth. Asian routes to the Middle East have shown strong numbers, with a 32% increase. Additionally, the Europe-Middle East route has experienced growth in revenue passenger kilometres for two consecutive years.
According to Reena Philip, general manager for operations at AirTravel Enterprises, travellers are opting for countries that offer visa-on-arrival or hassle-free visa processes, such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. While traditional destinations like Bali and the Maldives remain popular choices, some travellers have faced e-visa issues in countries like Japan. Philip highlights that there are no available appointments for the Schengen region until September 2024 unless cancellations occur.
Avinash Adnani, managing director of Neo Travels and Tourism, notes that the challenge with appointments for Schengen visas has prompted travellers to consider alternative options in Turkey, Bali, and Southeast Asian destinations with better weather conditions. These destinations also offer no issues with halal food and visa processes. High-end travellers from the UAE are opting for Turkey, the Maldives, and Bali, while budget-conscious tourists are choosing Malaysia and Sri Lanka for their summer travels.Overall, the summer travel season in the UAE has seen a shift in destination preferences due to visa challenges, with travellers exploring new and alternative options to enjoy their holidays.
