iPhone | iPad
Android
Huawei
The Man City manager admits that the Premier League is shaping into a three-team race and that there can be no slip-ups
KT APPDOWNLOAD
Holiday prices skyrocket as UAE school holidays begin
Dubai - Families are being forced to spend Dh35,000-45,000 for a vacation of four.
When Khaleej Times went online to compare the cost of a package holiday looking at term-time versus school vacation time, it was clear to see the frustration parents are facing.
For the exact same getaway at Disneyland resort in Paris, a 41 per cent increase in cost was noted if travel commenced one week after the school holidays began.
Based on a family of four sharing, the price of the package deal rocketed by Dh6,604, simply because the dates quoted fell in line with the school holidays. Yet to go 14 days prior - during term-time - it was considerably cheaper.
Click here to enlarge image
And none more so than Mohammed Yousuf Al Shaibani, has felt the brunt of this financial trap. For his family of four, a vacation during the school holidays usually sets him back around Dh35,000, but that doesn't include spending money.
"I spend around Dh20,000 on flight tickets alone, and about Dh15,000 on accommodation," the Emirati father of two told Khaleej Times.
He said he is sick of having to fork out inflated prices just because it's deemed "peak season", because for parents, they have no other choice.
But he's learnt how to make some savings.
"If it's not during the summer months, the prices usually reduce by about 40 per cent, in my experience. But if I travel in the summer, I usually book my flights and hotels in March to get a better price. However, holidaying outside of the summer months is much more affordable."
Although Europe, especially the UK, are Al Shaibani's preferred destinations of choice, he said he is now opting to holiday closer to home, in places like Turkey, just to avoid the premiums.Cashing in on school holidays
Inflation rose from a minimum of 17 per cent (for a city break in New York) to 41 per cent (for a Disneyland Paris getaway). But this is an all too familiar dilemma for mother-of-one and blogger of mummyonmymind.com, Zeyna Sanjania.
With a three-year-old son, Sanjania is forced to pay anywhere between Dh18,000-20,000 for a family getaway, outside of term-time.
"It's cheaper if we're going to the UK and staying over with family instead of a hotel, so that's one way of saving money I suppose," she told Khaleej Times.
But like Al Shaibani, she now books way in advance to try and soften the blow.
"We find this tends to reduce price hikes. I often search online for packages that are inclusive of as many things as possible," she said.
kelly@khaleejtimes.com
For best deal, book four months prior to travel
A few of the key countries we have offered to families this year are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Italy, Prague, USA, Thailand, Georgia, Indonesia.
2. Has this trend changed in recent years? Has it been driven by price?
Yes, price has been a concern this year, specifically due to the challenging economic conditions in the region. Another factor that has led to people preferring these destinations is the unfortunate incidents in certain European destinations, which before, were very much the preferred destination.
3. How much do holidays increase by during peak season?
There is usually a minimum increase of anywhere above 30 per cent during peak periods, compared to fares during lean season.
4. In your experience, when is the most expensive month to holiday?
Not including the national holidays, which include Eid breaks, Christmas breaks, UAE National day and other long weekends, journeys originating from the UAE turn out to be most expensive during June and July, which falls in the school holiday period.
5. To get the best deal, how far in advance should families book holidays to avoid the premiums?
Usually, it is suggested to book tickets at least four months prior to the trip to get the best air fare deals. However, there has been a new trend where the air carriers launch special deals and companion offers (buy one and get the second passenger at an attractive fare), even within a month prior to travel.
(Answers given by Fardan MH, operations manager for Deira Travel and Tourist Agency)
| Peak vs. Off-peak fares | ||
| Destination | Lowest return fare from June 26 | Lowest return fare from October 26 |
| Thailand (Bangkok) | Dh2584 (Fly Dubai) | Dh1784 (Fly Dubai) |
| Italy (Rome) | Dh3100 (Emirates) | Dh2600 (Emirates) |
| Kenya (Nairobi) | Dh2070 (Kenya Airways) | Dh1220 (Kenya Airways) |
| USA (New York) | Dh6730 (Emirates) | Dh3830 (Emirates) |
| (Source: Deira Travel and Tourist Agency) | ||
More news from
Established in 2009, the Mohamed bin Zayed (MBZ) fund has supported projects for conservation of species and subspecies across 170 countries
London and Indian cities were among the top five destinations, report shows
The book created by Emirati illustrator Mohammed Al Rais and based on a tale by Swiss author Kurt Blum, is set to capture the hearts of young readers with its delightful story of uniqueness and triumph
The idea of undergoing the procedure was 'mentally and emotionally draining', the longtime Abu Dhabi resident said, but doctors eased her worries
The ruins in the middle of Pantabangan Dam in Nueva Ecija province are a tourist draw, even as the region swelters in extreme heat
This covers traffic violations incurred until 2023
Friday's polling will be held for 88 of the total 543 seats in the lower house or Lok Sabha of Parliament with 160 million people eligible to vote
