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If skyrocketing summer airfares have you breaking out in a cold sweat, it’s probably because demand for air travel hasn’t abated in the post-pandemic world. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), no amount of digital crunching and cutting corners can change the fact that passengers are far from satisfied, despite a frantic vengeance trip last year when more than 900 million tourists traveled internationally. .
With summer 2023 looming, it should come as no surprise that your best efforts to be flexible with dates, airports and even destinations still won’t get you a bargain.
The good news, though, is that there are still ways to plan for that dream vacation on a tight budget while playing smart and taking the unexpected into account.
planning is key
Sophia Bhatti, Dubai-based financial expert and founder and CEO of Wimbledon Wealth, said: “Having a financial plan for the holidays is crucial, especially when budgets are tight and the economy is uncertain.”
According to her, while revenge travel may seem tempting, for those on a tight budget, it’s crucial to work out a “realistic” budget. “This means considering all expenses, including transport, accommodation, food, activities and any additional costs,” she explained, adding that unexpected expenses and setting aside a contingency fund should also be factored in.
“Start saving for travel early by setting aside a small amount of money each month,” Bhatti advises, adding that such a step allows a person to accumulate funds without putting financial stress on the table in the short term.
flexible
The aviation industry in the Middle East has been rapidly recovering lost ground since the end of Covid restrictions. Figures released by the International Air Transport Association for 2023 show passenger traffic in the region almost doubled in January from a year earlier.
Prices have fallen victim to the economy as demand continues to peak and capacity is still catching up.
“Availability is still a big issue every summer, so the sooner you plan ahead will help you find a price that fits your budget,” says Dubai-based travel consultant Andrea Britchford.
The 25-year industry veteran advises budget-conscious travelers to step outside of their comfort zone. “Peak season drivers are largely revenue-managed, which means that when airlines notice that there is spare capacity on certain flights, they will offer discounted fares to fill those seats to increase revenue.
“In short, even if you choose to travel mid-week, fares will see a small drop and will continue to be in limited supply. This is where passengers will need to look for alternatives such as low-cost airlines. Wizz Air and Air Arabia Airlines are changing the status quo at affordable prices,” Britchford said.
Headquartered in Budapest, Wizz Air also operates from its Abu Dhabi hub, offering direct connections to European destinations. At the time of writing, summer tickets to popular cities like Athens cost an average of Dh3,600 for a family of four looking to take a week-long holiday in July. Additional fees apply for checked luggage and seat selection.
Britchford further advises travelers not to look to popular airport hubs. “Phuket is a popular summer destination for UAE tourists, but looking at the direct flights, they almost always cost a lot of money. Airlines like flydubai fly direct to Krabi at a lower fare, and it’s a boat ride to Phuket Great alternative to the island.”
Britchford also recommends being flexible with dates and months of travel, with an eye toward cheap off-season deals, while also opting for less-than-ideal red-eye flights and stopovers, which can further reduce airfare costs.
smart travel
Over the years, many airlines and travel agencies have also rolled out extra incentives to save money.
“We recently conducted consumer research in the UAE, highlighting [that] Consumers want ‘flexibility when booking’ and worry about ‘high cancellation fees’,” said Saujanya Shrivastava, Chief Operating Officer, Flights and GCC, MakeMyTrip.
In a market largely driven by last-minute planning, the online travel agency has introduced a price-locking alternative for customers that can “‘lock in’ the price of a flight for about seven days, removing upward pressure on fares,” Shrivastava said. .
Likewise, the company has price-locked hotel rates, with customers paying Dh1 upon booking, allowing them to pay the full amount closer to their check-in date.
Shrivastava advises passengers to keep an eye out for special seasonal offers from travel companies and airlines, and use their credit card points or bank partnerships for extra discounts.
Local banks also save on costs with the help of multi-currency accounts. Nomo Bank CEO Sean Gilchrist explains how his Sharia-compliant bank helps customers take control of their spending. “Every Nomo Bank account offers multi-currency services, which allow customers to spend in their local currency for free. This means they can spend like a local without having to worry about exchange rates and other fees,” Gilchirst said, adding Said they offered currencies including USD, GBP, EUR and Saudi Riyal.
emergency plan
While budget-conscious travelers may favor three-star convenience over five-star luxury, or vacation homes over hotel accommodations, experts have an edge when it comes to travel insurance.
Neeraj Gupta, CEO of Policybazaar.ae, said: “While travel insurance was not mandatory in many countries before COVID-19, it has become almost indispensable in the post-COVID world. product.”
While travel insurance is an additional cost, Gupta believes the additional cost goes a long way in the event of medical emergencies, travel delays and cancellations, and can prevent lost luggage or emergency evacuations.
“Travel insurance is an investment, and investing in a good policy can give you peace of mind and protect you from unexpected financial losses,” says Gupta.
Bhatti also advises travelers to make sure their desire for a summer stay doesn’t end up bogging them down. “Indebted holidays can lead to financial hardship in the long run, so the costs and benefits of such decisions must be carefully assessed,” she said.
(Reporting by Bindu Rai; Editing by Seban Scaria)
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