As the summer travel season begins, UAE residents are facing significant challenges in obtaining visas for Schengen countries due to a lack of appointment slots.
Those who applied months in advance can still travel to Europe, but many others are turning to alternative destinations.
High-end travelers from the UAE are opting for popular and luxurious destinations like Bali, Turkey, and the Maldives.
Raheesh Babu, COO of Musafir.com, noted that customers prefer destinations offering hassle-free visas, such as Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, and CIS countries.
"We are seeing more traction to these destinations because appointments are easy,"
he said.
"Most people, on average, are opting for four-day and five-night stays."
For budget-conscious residents, closer and more economical destinations like Salalah and Abha are becoming popular. Additionally, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, and Malaysia are emerging as preferred choices due to visa-on-arrival options.
According to Reena Philip, General Manager for Operations at AirTravel Enterprises, traditional destinations like Sri Lanka, Bali, and the Maldives remain popular, while Japan faces some e-visa issues.
"There are no appointments available for the Schengen region till September 2024,"
she added.
Industry executives report that Middle Eastern airlines saw a 9.7% year-on-year increase in demand in May, with Asian routes to the Middle East now 32% higher than in 2019. Avinash Adnani, Managing Director of Neo Travels and Tourism, highlighted that travelers are choosing Turkey, Bali, and Southeast Asian destinations for their better weather and visa ease.
"High-end travelers are opting for these destinations while budget-conscious tourists prefer Malaysia and Sri Lanka,"
he said.
News Source: Khaleej Times
