UAE Nationals will be expecting to part with 300 percent more on airfares to visa-free countries to be used for the next long weekend.
The skyrocketing airfares to the extent that they are getting unreasonably inconvenient, has the people worried. The industry players have stated that the increase has been a result of increased traffic and restricted seat space as people prepare to travel during the National Day national holiday.
Some of the most visited visa-free countries including Georgia, Azerbaijan, Thailand, Armenia, and Maldives were observed to have raised their flight tariffs during the same periods. Information derived from travel agencies reveals that while the normal round trip tickets that are generally ranging from between Dh:800 to Dh:1500, has soared to over Dh:2800 for some destinations.
Another respondent, Pavan Joshi, a travel consultant working at the Indulgence Travels in Abu Dhabi, also stated, “Most of the UAE residents find the National Day holiday as one of the best times to travel, as they get a chance to move out of their daily rut and visit visa-free countries. ”
An analysis was made and it was found that, one way travel to Georgia is fairly low costing around Dh 269 by budget airlines and the round trip costing about Dh 800 and above. However, during the next long weekend, airfare of the same airline for one way begins from Dh1,289 and for a round trip from Dh2,828 for a four day trip.
In the same way we have other facilities like; currently for Baku (Azerbaijan) and Yerevan (Armenia), the base fare is Dh167 while the return will be at Dh 689. However, during the next long weekend airfare rises, beginning from Dh1, 607 for the flight to destination and Dh2, 634 for the return journey.
Interviews carried out with travel agents revealed a very important fact that Maldives is very much preferred mostly in the cooler season. The current airfare to this much desired destination is from Dh449 while a round trip ticket is going for Dh 1500. However, on the major festival such as National Day holiday, most of travel websites increase the price by approximately 70%. Flight ticket for a round trip during this holiday period will go for as low as Dh2,229.
In view of travel agents, visa-free and 3 to 4-hour flight destinations for UAE residents are always in demand.
“Considering visa-free destinations like Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Maldives during the cooler months is always in demand. By the end of November, it starts snowing in Georgia. Other Caucasian countries provide cooler weather, making it a perfect getaway,” said Libin Varghese, sales director at Rooh Tourism LLC.
“One of the other reasons why UAE residents prefer these countries is their affordability, vicinity, and civilization. For a four or 5-day holiday, travelers prefer passing time discovering rather than travelling,” added Varghese.
