Many UAE residents are choosing to skip or shorten visits to their home countries, opting instead for new long-haul tourist destinations that were previously unaffordable. This shift is due to the expansion of low-cost airlines’ networks to popular locations in Southeast Asia and Western Europe.
Sharjah-based Air Arabia recently introduced a service to Vienna, Austria, with one-way tickets for only Dh399. The airline has also launched routes to Athens, Greece; Krakow, Poland; and Phuket. Other budget carriers like Wizz Air and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi are also expanding their networks.
According to Shamsheed CV, senior consultant for outbound travel at Wisefox Tourism, fewer people are traveling to their home countries during holidays. Previously, residents would travel home for two months during the summer break. However, with rising fares, they now opt for shorter trips of two to three weeks when airfares are lower. Residents are increasingly exploring new destinations during the summer break instead of visiting home.
Raheesh Babu, COO of musafir.com, noted that the launch of affordable routes by low-cost airlines is encouraging budget-conscious families to explore new destinations. Middle-class families are reconsidering spending Dh2,000-Dh2,200 on visits to their home countries and are using the same budget to explore new tourist spots. This change in approach means people can now travel more frequently, with many opting to travel twice a year instead of just once.