Parking fees are set in order to regulate the limited spaces and to prevent the arbitrary use of these spots
uae23 hours ago
A new long weekend trend seems to be catching on in the UAE: More residents are going for escapades into the 'great outdoors', according to agencies who have reported a sharp spike in SUV rentals ahead of the National Day long weekend.
Lebanese expat Arfa Hashem is excited to take his visiting relatives around the UAE's scenic spots. And for that, he had booked an SUV.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
“My sedan is not ideal for this road trip since we will be going to Ras Al Khaimah, Wadi Shawkha, and a couple of other spots in the UAE,” he said.
Hashem, a chef who lives in Sharjah, will soon be busy preparing food, too, for their camping adventure in the desert. “We will also be lighting up the grill for barbeque."
Many other residents seem to be going the same route, with some saying they shelled out as much as Dh1,000 for the rentals.
Jestin Joseph, sales executive at Blue Line rental services, said their SUV fleet is almost fully booked for this long weekend. “It seems like people are excited to break away from the routine and experience something different,” he said.
Tarib Ahmed from Popular Car Rentals agreed, saying many of their customers are "requesting vehicles designed for off-road adventures".
The demand was "remarkable", said Soham Shah, CEO and Founder of Selfdrive.ae. “The data speaks volumes, with a staggering increase of more than 30 per cent in our car rentals during the National Day period compared to the same time frame last year".
“The appeal is evident in the numbers, with a notable uptick in the rental of SUVs and luxury vehicles, witnessing a growth of 25 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively," said Shah.
ALSO READ:
Parking fees are set in order to regulate the limited spaces and to prevent the arbitrary use of these spots
uae23 hours ago
The violators were caught as authorities step up its monitoring of the public's compliance with regulations
uae23 hours ago
Some agencies are able to find a solution, with one expert encouraging travellers to get a five-year multiple-entry visa to the popular holiday destination
uae1 day ago
Over the weekend, about 80 members of Filipino Kasambahay Club (FKC), an organisation of nannies and domestic workers in Dubai, had their first meet-up
uae1 day ago
Instead of going to shopping malls and indoor play areas, there are still a few outdoor spots that residents can visit during these hot and humid days
uae1 day ago
The authority has urged motorists to drive cautiously and to abide by traffic rules and regulations
uae1 day ago
The election is being held to choose the successor to former President Ebrahim Raisi who died in a helicopter crash in May
uae1 day ago
Usually sermons last around 20 minutes and are followed by a two-unit congregational prayer
uae1 day ago