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Khaleej Times
8 hours ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE: New budget travel trends emerge after Israel-Iran conflict disrupts holiday plans
With tensions rising in parts of the Middle East and the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, many UAE residents have cancelled or postponed their summer vacations to countries like Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. But travel agents say this shift has opened up new budget travel trends, with a surge in interest for Southeast Asia and the Far East. 'We are seeing a strong preference now for destinations like Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, China, Japan, and Sri Lanka,' said Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Tourism. 'Travellers are looking eastward. Many want to avoid uncertainty and enjoy the relaxed vibe of the monsoons.' Subair added that India and Sri Lanka are particularly standing out this year as go-to places for monsoon lovers. 'People are choosing to spend time in the rain-soaked greenery of Kerala, the hill stations of Himachal, or the tea estates of Sri Lanka. It's a different kind of experience, calm, cool, and refreshing.' Bharath Aidasani, managing partner at Pluto travels, said the trend is shifting to African regions as well, apart from Asian countries. ' After cancelling trips to Georgia and nearby countries, many residents are rebooking for Southeast Asian destinations. These places offer great value for money, visa-on-arrival or e-visa options, and the kind of flexibility travellers need.' The shift is due to recent flight cancellations to the Caucasus region resulting from airspace closures, and now travellers are rethinking their plans. Safety, ease of access, and overall travel experience are now at the forefront. 'There's uncertainty around the region. Families are wanting to travel, prioritising especially where travel is more visa-friendly,' said Bharath. Another factor pushing this trend is cost. Southeast Asia offers budget-friendly travel without compromising on nature, culture, or food. 'A lot of the destinations we are recommending now are not just affordable but also have great weather this time of year,' said Subair. 'And with school holidays on, families want to make the most of it because of the perfect timing.'
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Travel plans disrupted? Guide to refunds, rescheduling amid regional tensions
With rising regional tensions and airspace closures across the Middle East, many UAE residents are cancelling their summer holidays to the Caucasus and the Middle East, including popular destinations like Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Jordan, and Lebanon. The uncertainty caused by the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict has disrupted travel plans for many. With airspace closed, flights have either been delayed or cancelled, leaving travellers anxious about getting stranded or facing last-minute changes. 'People are either postponing their plans or cancelling altogether,' said Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Tourism. 'Travellers are opting for refunds instead of waiting. They are unsure how long the situation will last.' Avinash Adnani, managing director of Neo Travel and Tourism, observed a similar situation. 'Right now, most travellers are cancelling and waiting for more clarity,' he said. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. According to travel agents, airlines are offering full refunds in some cases. They said that if an airline cancels your flight, you are generally entitled to a full refund or can change your travel dates for free. 'Some airlines are also giving travel vouchers to use at a later date,' said Subair. However, if you cancel the trip yourself while the flight is still operating, regular cancellation rules apply, which may result in losing a portion of the amount. 'Refunds or date changes are offered only when the flight is cancelled by the airline,' said Adnani. 'If it's a voluntary cancellation, then the standard policies kick in.' Hotels and tours: 'Mostly flexible' The good news is that most hotels and tour operators are being supportive during this time, said travel aggregators. 'Hotels are mostly allowing date changes or refunds, depending on their policy,' said Subair. 'Local tours are usually refundable too.' Avinash added that in many cases, local agents in the destination countries are also doing their best to either offer full refunds or minimise losses. 'They are trying to help as much as possible,' he said. Online bookings: 'Could be tricky' For those who booked through online platforms, obtaining a refund may not be as straightforward. While possible, the process often takes time. Advice for upcoming travellers Travel experts suggest that when planning a holiday, consider destinations that are stable and currently open to tourism. 'There are plenty of beautiful and safe places to visit right now,' said Subair. 'And talk to your travel agent; they will help you book flexibly in case plans need to change again.'
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Khaleej Times
UAE visitors urged to plan, renew visa before expiry amid flight disruptions, high demand
Visit visa holders in the UAE are being urged to be vigilant and take timely action to avoid overstaying their visas, travel agents have warned. With the summer holiday season in full swing, many flights are fully booked, airfares are rising, and ongoing flight cancellations, linked to regional airspace closures amid Iran-Israel tensions, are compounding the challenges. Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Tourism, said visitors who haven't planned their return or visa extension may find themselves stuck due to high demand. 'Some flights are fully booked. When visitors can't get a ticket in time, they may end up staying extra days and paying fines while exiting the country,' he said. 'We are urging visitors to act quickly and plan in advance to avoid these situations.' He added that many families have already started travelling for long summer break, especially those with children whose schools have closed for the holidays. 'Flights are filling up quickly because schools have shut. That's adding to the rush,' he said. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. Some flights canceled or delayed While the UAE has seen fewer flight cancellations compared to other countries in the region, some delays and cancellations have been reported. ' Flights from cities in India and other parts of the Middle East have been delayed or cancelled due to the ongoing regional tensions,' Subair said. 'Visitors should plan ahead to avoid disruptions.' 'UAE is safe and stable' Despite the situation, travel industry experts say the UAE remains one of the safest places in the region. Bharath Aidasani, managing partner at Pluto Travels, said visitors continue to trust the UAE's leadership and prefer to stay here. "People have confidence in the government here. All we ask is that visitors don't wait until the last few days of their visa to act," he said. "If you're looking to renew or extend your visa, plan it at least 20 days in advance." He added that travel agents are seeing an increase in visa extension inquiries. 'We have many requests from nationals of countries like Jordan, Lebanon, and others in the Middle East, as travel is affected by the closure of some airspaces.' What can travellers do now? Experts recommend the following steps: 'Whether flying into or out of the UAE, visitors and residents should check for delays or cancellations before heading to the airport,' Aidasani said.
Khaleej Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
2 months' salary on one trip? UAE residents hit by 300% surge in flight tickets
As summer travel demand surges, many UAE residents could find themselves spending up to two months' salary just to fly home, with airfares to popular destinations skyrocketing, according to travel experts. Ticket prices to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Philippines have surged by up to 300 per cent compared to off-peak months, and families are feeling the pinch. "An employee earning Dh5,000 to Dh7,000 a month may have to spend Dh10,000 to Dh14,000 just for return air tickets for a family of four," said Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Tourism. "That is up to two months salary gone before you even land." Even for those earning Dh15,000 monthly, a summer trip could eat up their entire salary. "If someone is flying out with their spouse and two kids, they are looking at return fares of Dh12,000 to Dh14,000 for direct flights to Indian cities," said Subair. "Budget carriers, which usually offer relief for many residents taking short flights, are also selling seats for over Dh10,000 for a family of four," added Subair. According to a Khaleej Times analysis, return airfares on budget airlines from the UAE to major Indian cities during the peak summer now range between Dh2,100 and Dh2,800. A round-trip ticket to Mumbai on Air India Express is priced at Dh2,250, while a return fare to Kochi on IndiGo shows around Dh2,650. Similarly, flights to Delhi on budget airlines are averaging about Dh2,450. Similarly, return airfares from the UAE to Cairo are currently affordable. A round-trip from Dubai to Cairo on EgyptAir is available for approximately Dh1,200. Similarly, Air Arabia offers return tickets on the same route starting at around Dh1,300. According to travel agents, some one-way tickets to Indian cities were available for under Dh500 a month ago. Today, fares for the same routes in early June have shot up to Dh1,500, a threefold jump. For return travel in August, prices are crossing Dh1,400. "Prices to almost all eastern destinations have doubled, and we are seeing similar trends for Europe and the Philippines," Subair added. "Airfares have started climbing steeply from June 5 onwards," said Mir Waseem Raja, manager at Galadari International Travel Services. "This is mainly because the Eid Al Adha holidays coincide with the school summer break this year. The combination of both has created a surge in travel demand, pushing prices up." "The demand is so high that many flights on popular routes are already fully booked, especially for South Asian countries. Even seats on budget carriers are being booked quickly, leaving limited options for last-minute travellers," added Raja. Destinations like Kochi, Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi, Dhaka, and Lahore are seeing the steepest increases. "Round tickets that used to cost Dh700 to Dh1,000 are now over Dh2,500," said Subair. Travel aggregators said that fares to North America have remained relatively stable due to more routing options and layovers. "There are several budget-friendly options for travelling to the US and Canada, like layovers in Europe. We can also see a surge in airfare to even some European cities," said Subair.
Khaleej Times
24-03-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE travel: Peak tourism season getting longer; here's why
The UAE's seasonal travel and tourism sector is getting longer as it benefits from the extended pleasant weather, say industry executives. Similarly, staycation is increasingly becoming popular among residents due to the pleasant weather becoming longer. Mamoun Hmidan, chief business officer at Wego, said winter travel has become very solid for this part of the world, this year. 'What we saw at the end of last year and beginning of January, it's like a serious wave of seasonality happening around that. The occupancy rate in Dubai even during Ramadan is plus 80 per cent which has never been the case before. Weather is good so people want to experience new attractions as Dubai is very well established now,' he said. He added that the peak inbound seasonal travel for tourism used to be until February-March and now it has extended till April because the weather is good. 'There's always something new in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah is trending as well.' In 2024, Dubai welcomed 18.72 million international overnight visitors from January to December 2024, a 9 per cent year-over-year (YoY) increase that surpassed the previous record of 17.15 million in 2023, according to data from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Moreover, DET's global campaigns and in-market activities highlighted the city's multi-faceted touristic appeal and kept Dubai top-of-mind for international tourists. Notable global campaigns in 2024 included 'Dubai, What's Not To Love?', which positioned the city as a destination of choice for winter, while the latest campaign, 'If You Go, You Know', took a fresh approach, with Dubai's residents showcasing their favourite parts of the city to encourage their compatriots to experience all it has to offer. The UAE initiatives around cloud-seeding rains have helped improve the weather in the country, bringing more water levels underground and improving overall weather as well. Staycations growing Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Tourism, said that there is an extended inbound tourism period because of the pleasant weather. He noted that because of better weather, residents are also increasingly opting for staycations, which has resulted in hotel prices increasing locally. 'Nowadays, families are looking into staycations as 4-5 families jointly rent a villa where they have a barbecue and have a good time. We expect this trend will stay in strong demand in the coming few months,' he said. Sudheesh TP, general manager at Deira Travel, echoed his industry peers, confirming that inbound tourism is growing due to pleasant weather in the country. 'Inbound tourism keeps increasing because UAE is the top attraction point as far as the whole Mena region is concerned, because of easy availability of visa, proximity from key the geographical points, strong connectivity from the UAE carriers,' he said.
