UAE residents are more likely to take a staycation during the upcoming holiday season rather than travel abroad, according to new research.
YouGov’s latest survey reveals more than half of UAE residents (51 percent) are planning to take a domestic vacation during the year-end holiday.
Just over a fifth (22 percent) plan to travel to other Middle Eastern countries, two in five (39 percent) plan to travel overseas, and one in eight (13 percent) do not intend to take a vacation this holiday season.
Interestingly, holiday preferences vary depending on age. Young adults between 18-24 years are most likely than others to travel within the country this holiday season (65 percent), while older adults (45+ years) are more keen on international travel (46 percent).
When it comes to the choice of place, YouGov’s Destination Index, which tracks public perceptions of destinations across 16 metrics, shows Dubai as the most considered choice for a holiday (in the last 30 days) by UAE residents.
Abu Dhabi is the second option for people planning a vacation, followed by the Maldives.
As travel is bouncing back and many countries are easing travel restrictions, many international destinations are making it to the UAE traveller holiday wish list.
Along with Maldives, Switzerland, Canada, US, Japan and Philippines are some of the other destinations currently being considered by UAE residents for their next holiday.
While UAE residents have an appetite for travel, they are exercising caution and close to half said they would avoid crowded places and prefer less crowded or offbeat locations (49 percent) for their vacation.
Many want to avoid staying in shared accommodations (42 percent), while some (29 percent) would even refrain from using public transport.
To minimise the Covid-19 risks, a few would avoid using public washrooms (27 percent), ridesharing (27 percent), closed places (26 percent) and eating at bars and restaurants (20 percent) while travelling.
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