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Health-led travel, working holidays and luxury will be the top travel trends in the UAE and Saudi Arabia through 2023, a report said, adding that travelers will spend more and plan more holidays during the year.
According to Marriott Bonvoy’s 2023 Travel Trends Study, one in four people plans to stay in a luxury accommodation while away.
The increase in travel and spending is due in part to a greater belief that holiday plans for 2023 will not be impacted by the pandemic, and travel remains a top priority for Middle Eastern consumers. Sustainability also plays a big role in travel plans for 2023, with ‘get away from it all’ key for holidaymakers.
Research result:
Health Warriors Seeking Authentic Travel
Wellness-led holidays to get people away from it all will be the main type of holidays that people in the Middle East will continue to enjoy. More than six in 10 (61%) from the UAE plan to do so, with the figure even higher in Saudi Arabia (73%).
Authentic travel is also key, with many looking to immerse themselves in a completely changed culture, with more than half of people in both markets (55% in the UAE and 56% in Saudi Arabia) wanting to explore new destinations and cultures. To truly immerse themselves in the local culture, 30% of Emiratis and 27% of Saudis plan to spend three weeks or more on a “long vacation” in one destination.
Of those who extended their vacation, 39% of Saudis and 37% of Emiratis said it was the first time they had done so.
48% of Emiratis and 44% of Saudis on extended vacation highlighted that being able to work remotely allowed them to take longer vacations without taking annual leave for the entire holiday.
In fact, hybrid and remote working are having a major impact on travel plans for 2023. Almost a third (31%) in the UAE and 23% in Saudi Arabia plan to take a ‘working holiday’ – where they will continue to log in and work while traveling , allowing them to experience new places without taking annual leave.
Travelers Expect a Premium Experience
By 2023, the majority of travelers plan to spend more on holidays than in the previous year – 74% in the UAE and 69% in Saudi Arabia say they will.
About a quarter in each market (UAE 26%, Saudi Arabia 25%) plan to splurge and stay in luxury accommodation, while all-inclusive resorts will also be popular (UAE 17%, Saudi Arabia 12%). So , consumers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia have high expectations for holiday accommodation, with cost, cleanliness and location being the three most important factors.
Accompanying bookings data from Marriott Bonvoy reveals just how resilient luxury demand is in the Middle East, with luxury hotel bookings up 13% in April compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Protect your holiday spending in 2023 with savvy travel tips
With more than nine out of 10 respondents planning to go away, it’s clear that most travelers are trying to keep their holiday spending under control. Overall, 66% of those planning to travel to Saudi Arabia and 69% in the UAE said they would take more vacations in 2023 compared to the previous year, while those who said they would travel less frequently There are far fewer people, which is indicative of the post-pandemic industry. This is all the more positive given that Marriott Bonvoy data shows bookings in the Middle East have returned to pre-pandemic levels starting in April and are up 30% from last year.
The data also showed a very strong recovery in confidence for holiday bookings for the end of 2022 and into 2023. In October 2022, bookings from the UAE 61-180 days in advance increased by 364% compared to the same month in 2021. Meanwhile, in November, they increased by 276%. Looking at Saudi Arabia, October 2022 bookings 61-180 days in advance are up 321% compared to the same month in 2021. Meanwhile, November saw a 121% increase.
Travelers are getting smarter about planning their savings so they can secure their premium holiday experience – for example, to ensure they can still go where they want to go, 42% of Emiratis and 43% of Saudis Plan trips at different times of the year.
However, only 27% of Emiratis and 26% of Saudis said they would seek a compromise by choosing cheaper accommodation.
Sustainability Factors
Sustainability is now a key factor in travel planning, with 85% of Emiratis and 80% of Saudis saying environmental factors now play some role in their arrangements.
In the UAE, 43% even say that environmental factors determine their travel plans and they will only spend money on companies that have a positive impact on the environment, compared to 38% in Saudi Arabia.
When it comes to the destinations they plan to visit in 2023, Turkey will be the most popular destination for UAE tourists (27%), followed by a holiday in the UAE (26%) and a trip to the UK (20%). Meanwhile, for those from Saudi Arabia, a stay-at-home holiday will be the top choice (33%), followed by Turkey (29%) and a trip to the nearby UAE (27%).
Neil Jones, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, EMEA, Marriott International: “Because of the unique situation we find ourselves in, the travel trends for 2023 are more interesting than ever as we look ahead to where consumers plan to travel this year. Way 2019. It is clear that much of the industry’s recovery is based on increased tourist confidence, with most planning to spend more than last year, and that demand for luxury goods remains strong from tourists in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. That clearly shows a great deal of optimism, but it also suggests that people will limit their holiday spending.
“We’re also seeing other existing trends gaining traction. I’m delighted to see so many travelers making sustainability a priority, most of them taking it into account and many designing around it Their holidays. The pandemic has also accelerated the uptick in remote work, and it’s clear that many plan to take advantage of this flexibility and use the opportunity to leave without taking their annual leave.” – trade arab news agency
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