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DUBAI: Residents of the UAE are finding that the process of processing visas and traveling to Europe has become smoother in the coming weeks. Emirates is also helping with high-profile promotions, offering excursion packages to many of Europe’s emerging destinations that are both hugely popular and excel in quaint getaways.
All of this represents a significant change from the summer, when Emirati travelers planning to travel to Europe faced weeks of visa interview confirmations. Processing times for European Schengen visas are now significantly reduced, bringing Europe back to being one of the most popular destinations in the UAE.
A spokesman for VFS Global, the official visa facilitation center for Schengen visas in the UAE, said: “This has been an extended peak season for us, with volumes recorded at 85-90% of our 2019 volumes (visa issuances).”
However, the average waiting period for a visa is still 15 days, compared to the six weeks in summer. Therefore, last-minute vacation plans to the French Riviera remain out of the question.
- Flying direct to the EU in economy class? Here’s what it costs:
- Dubai to Paris: about Dh3,000 and above
- Dubai to Prague: Dh2,087
- Dubai to Berlin: Dh2,106
- Abu Dhabi to Milan: Dh2,125
- Abu Dhabi to Amsterdam: Dh2,805
- Dubai to Brussels: Dh2,433
- Source: Skyscanner.ae (all prices subject to change)
airlines offer breaks
On the air ticket front, airfares to popular winter destinations in Europe remained lower than expected. For example, an economy class ticket from Dubai to Paris from December 2 to 13 will remain at AED 2,700.
Tourist arrivals to Europe between January and March this year were 43% below pre-pandemic levels, according to a report by Oxford Economics. However, the full-year outlook suggests that the region could recover 70% of pre-pandemic tourism demand.
France, the most popular destination in the world and the backbone of European tourism, is witnessing a strong recovery. Karim Mekachera, managing director of Middle East and Turkey at Atout France (Tourism France), said: “The region has shown amazing resilience to French tourism after the pandemic.
“For winter, despite global concerns about inflation and other economic indicators, we booked months in advance. Compared to 2019, demand has surged by at least 20-30%.”
The post-pandemic trend is for people to want to visit destinations rich in natural beauty and winter sports opportunities
– Karim Mekachera, Atout France
tourism recovery
According to the World Tourism Organization, the French tourism industry will promote the recovery of the national economy. It is likely to exceed pre-pandemic levels next year, with a projected 2.2% increase over 2019 levels.
In addition to popular winter destinations such as Paris and the French Riviera, there has also been an increase in tourists in southwestern France, Mekachera said. “The post-pandemic trend is that people want to visit destinations that are rich in natural beauty and winter sports opportunities.”
Meanwhile, Switzerland saw a 21% increase in Emirati tourists earlier this year as the country was one of the first countries in Europe to ease entry requirements in the wake of the pandemic. Between November 2021 and April 2022, 14.6 million overnight stays were recorded at Swissotel and other accommodation establishments, according to figures published by the Federal Statistical Office.
Popular destinations in Europe
Which are the most popular travel destinations among UAE tourists? “In order of popularity, the five most booked destinations in Europe this winter are Turkey, Switzerland, Italy and France,” said Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel.
dnata Travel’s top UAE searches, inquiries and booking listings include Prague, Vienna and Berlin.
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