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Armenia remains the largest third country quarantine destination.
The travel agency said that because the suspension of inbound travel has not yet ended, more stranded foreigners choose “isolation holidays.”
Among the 16 countries facing the UAE’s inbound travel restrictions, UAE residents stranded in India, Pakistan and some other countries have the highest demand.
Raheesh Babu, group chief operating officer of online travel agency Musafir.com, said that Armenia is still the most popular quarantine destination for stranded travelers, followed by Uzbekistan.
“There are daily flights from various destinations in India to Armenia. SpiceJet and Indigo Airlines have daily flights. The pre-departure agreement is simple. In addition, due to strong demand, it is becoming more and more difficult to find hotel rooms in Yerevan. “He says.
He said: “Due to the vaccination and quarantine policy for inbound tourists, Qatar is not considered a family-friendly destination.” “Since April, more than 3,000 travelers have used our third national quarantine route. “Bab said.
Syed Mudassir, sales manager of Al Bloushi Travels in Deira, added that traveling through Qatar is relatively expensive and travelers must pay at least AED 10,000 per person. “They also need two doses of Covid vaccine.”
Companies book big tickets for employees
The travel company said that corporate customers are now booking bulk air tickets for stranded employees. “We have let our corporate customers book at least 50 tickets for important employees stranded abroad,” Babu explained.
The average travel cost for this route is Dh6,000 per passenger. “Some families who want a four- to five-star travel experience have to cough at least AED 8,000 per person,” he added.
The cost includes round-trip air tickets, 14 days hotel accommodation and food, RT-PCR testing and airport transfers. “Some tourists who wish to enjoy their holidays have also chosen destinations such as the Maldives and Seychelles,” Babu said.
Afi Ahmed, Managing Director of Smart Travels, said: “In the past week or two, the demand for quarantine in third countries has skyrocketed. People have lost hope and many are eager to return. We receive at least 15 confirmed bookings every day.”
“For weeks, we have been waiting for positive confirmation on this issue. I have no choice but to return via Armenia,” said Dubai resident Vipin Joseph.
International Travel Services Exhibition and Holiday Manager Raja Mir Wasim said that the Maldives is now the top destination for travelers from India and Pakistan. “Demand is high, and the cost per passenger to travel through this route is 10,000 dirhams,” he said.
“Some Central Asian countries restrict the entry of travelers from India and they are being questioned by immigration officials,” he added.
Mudassir pointed out, “Passengers book tickets to destinations according to their own requirements. If they want to go to a segregated destination for vacation, the Maldives and Seychelles are the most popular destinations. But if they have to work from home, Central Asian countries are preferred.”
“Travel agencies in India and Pakistan have also received many bookings; however, the documentation and government approvals should be done by the UAE,” he added.
Qatar compulsory isolation of travelers from 6 countries
Qatar has updated its quarantine regulations for incoming passengers from six countries (including India and Pakistan).
From Monday (August 2nd), people from six East Asian countries (ie Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka) must undergo mandatory quarantine.
“Persons vaccinated/recovered from the Covid-19 vaccine in Qatar will undergo a two-day hotel quarantine, and if the PCR test result is negative, they will be allowed to leave the hotel the next day.
The rest will be quarantined in the hotel for 10 days,” the Ministry of Public Health said on Sunday.
When commenting on the update, Raheesh Babu said: “Strict regulations such as this prevent travelers from going to Qatar. In addition, it is not a family-friendly destination. Unvaccinated children are not allowed to enter.”
dhanusha@khaleejtimes.com
Danusha Gukulan
Dhanusha Gokulan is from India and has been working as a journalist for more than ten years. For Khaleej Times, she reports on NRI affairs, civil aviation and immigration issues. She received a bachelor’s degree in journalism, economics and English literature from Mangalore University in 2008, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in contemporary media leadership and innovation at the American University in Dubai. In her spare time, she gets involved in singing/song writing, loves food, and is the mother of an over-enthusiastic Labrador Retriever. On her Twitter @shootsprintrite.
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