GCC families prefer staycations to long-haul breaks

dubai - GCC families are increasingly opting for shorter local trips without having to dig very deep into their wallets

Planning a family holiday can put a lot of strain on your wallet, especially if you decide to visit another country.

Travellers across the GCC seem to think so as well, as families are increasingly opting for shorter local trips that allow them to unwind without having to dig very deep into their wallets, say experts at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM 2017).

"We are witnessing a boost in domestic tourism when it comes to short breaks such as staycations," said Laurent A. Voivenel, senior vice-president of operations and development for the Middle East, Africa & India, at Swiss-Belhotel International.

"More and more people from the region are going for local options when it comes to a choice of destinations and hotels, as it saves both money and time. It's not just about where you go on vacation that matters, but whether you are able to relax and unwind. Long-haul holidays are expensive and can be stressful, especially if it is to get away for only a few days. Therefore, a lot of families prefer to stay back and explore the local attractions that gives them a sense of escape without travelling too far," he said.

Voivenel also pointed out that the continued growth of low-cost airlines in the region has made the UAE more accessible to budget travellers. "The UAE will lead Middle East passenger growth in 2017, with an annual increase of more than 6.3 per cent, according to estimates from the International Air Transport Association. Therefore, the outlook for UAE's hospitality industry remains strong."

In addition, a number of new attractions, combined with exclusive shopping promotions, have made the country a much sought-after international summer holiday destination. Another demographic that has witnessed substantial growth in recent years is 'bleisure travellers'. In 2015, 56 per cent of younger travellers between the ages of 18 to 35 took trips that combined business and leisure. Voivenel expects this number to grow to 94 per cent in the next five years.

Kamal Fakhoury, CEO of Cristal Group, said that social media is playing a big role in how young vacationgoers travel. "Social media is having a big impact on the choices travellers make today," he said. "We have seen that young travellers seem to value experiences over things."

When asked about how he feels the UAE hospitality market would perform in the coming years, Fakhoury said hat the UAE remains a popular destination, which offers a mix of attractions all year round.

"The UAE has been very resilient compared to other countries and is still achieving high occupancy," he said. "We currently have about 1,600 rooms in the region, and out of these, 200 are in the UAE. This number is expected to grow rapidly with the strategic alliance that we have formed with StayWell Hospitality Group. We are excited about the synergy and opportunity of this collaboration that will cement our future expansion in the region."

Ahmad Ali Al Abdulla Alansaari, chairman of Central Hotels, said the strength of the UAE's hospitality market had given the group confidence to go ahead with its expansion plans.

"We are witnessing a surge in travellers from the GCC as well as emerging markets such as India and China. The UAE is one of the strongest growth markets in the region, and we have three new hotels opening in 2017 that will give more choice in terms of products to our guests. Central Hotels will be expanding in Dubai with properties on the Palm Jumeirah, Business Bay and Deira Islands," he said.

Alansaari also pointed to recent statistics which showed that the UAE, and Dubai specifically, has ranked the highest within the region in terms of occupancy and average daily rate for the last five years. "We expect this to continue despite the increased number of rooms in the UAE. The efforts of DTCM and the tourism sector in general in marketing Dubai has continually pushed hoteliers to provide excellent guest experience," he said.

One event that will play a huge role in attracting visitors to the region is the Expo 2020, which will go a long way towards ensuring the strength of the country's hospitality sector.

"Dubai Expo 2020 is around the corner, and will be a hugely significant event, not only for the UAE, but for the entire region," said Voivenel. "Expo 2020, between October 2020 and April 2021, will bring together more than 180 nations to Dubai as well as 25 million visitors. The extent of development triggered by this mega event in terms of hotels and other infrastructure is unprecedented; and that will leave a lasting legacy on our industry. This opens massive opportunities for a group as strong as Swiss-Belhotel International, and we are eager to capitalise on it. Our objective is to sign three hotels in Dubai by 2020, including a flagship property."

- rohma@khaleejtimes.com