UAE residents are choosing to fly to new long-haul tourist destinations instead of visiting their home countries, thanks to low-cost airlines expanding their networks to popular places. Budget carriers in the UAE have added several long-haul tourist routes across Southeast Asia and Western Europe recently. This expansion includes destinations beyond a five-hour flight radius, making it easier for residents to explore new places at an affordable cost.
One of the local carriers, Air Arabia, has announced the launch of a service to Vienna, Austria, with one-way tickets priced at only Dh399. The airline has also added services to Athens, Greece, Krakow, Poland, and Phuket. Other carriers like Wizz Air and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi have also been expanding their networks to include more long-haul routes. As a result, many budget-conscious families are now opting to explore new popular tourist destinations instead of returning to their home countries during holidays.
Shamsheed CV, a senior consultant for outbound travel at Wisefox Tourism, noted that residents are now choosing to travel and explore new destinations instead of flying to their home countries. The increasing availability of affordable flights to popular tourist spots has encouraged middle-class families to consider these new destinations over traditional trips back home. Many families are reevaluating the need to spend a significant amount on airfares to visit their home countries and are using the same budget to explore new places that were previously financially out of reach.
Raheesh Babu, COO of musafir.com, highlighted that the launch of new popular destinations by low-cost airlines at affordable rates is changing people’s travel habits. Middle-class families who used to limit their trips to home countries are now considering the possibility of exploring new tourist destinations. The affordability and convenience of these flights now allow families to travel twice a year instead of just once, leading to a growing pool of travelers. This shift in mindset is driving more people to explore new locations rather than sticking to traditional holiday destinations.
The trend of residents opting for new long-haul tourist destinations over visits to their home countries during holidays is expected to continue with the expansion of low-cost airlines. The availability of affordable flights to popular destinations across Southeast Asia and Western Europe has opened up new opportunities for families to explore different cultures and experiences. As people become more budget-conscious and value experiences over traditional trips back home, the travel industry is adapting to cater to this changing mindset. Overall, the shift towards exploring new destinations is reshaping the way UAE residents approach holiday travel and creating a more diverse and adventurous travel landscape in the region.
