She advised to adopt flexible dates for reservations... and to stay away from peak times... and early reservations

Travel agencies: 60% increase in average summer ticket prices

The state of thirst for travel for the purpose of tourism or to visit parents is still apparent.

Emirates today

Travel agencies revealed to "Emirates Today" that the average prices of airline tickets for summer reservations are up to 60% higher compared to the levels of the summer of 2019 before the "Covid-19" pandemic, while the average value of hotel reservations witnessed an increase of 55%.

She explained that the available supply of seats on flights has not yet reached pre-pandemic levels, while demand is witnessing a significant increase, while the bulk of it is expected to be concentrated in conjunction with the school vacation and the Eid al-Adha holiday.

And the officials of these agencies advised to adopt flexible dates while making reservations, to get the best prices, and to stay away from peak times, stressing that early booking of tickets remains the best way to get the lowest prices.

Noticeable recovery

Mamoun Humaidan, General Manager of Wego, which specializes in travel services and online reservations for the Middle East, North Africa and India, said that the travel and tourism sector is witnessing a remarkable recovery, as people have returned to travel again.

He added, "Our data indicates that travelers are looking to spend more and book more leisure trips this year, and we also see travelers choosing comprehensive leisure travel, which gives them a safe travel experience during the pandemic."

Humaidan continued, "Our data shows that the average value of booking flights during the summer to and from the UAE market increased by 57% compared to the same period in 2019, and the average value of hotel reservations increased by 55% compared to 2019."

He pointed out that the year 2022 witnessed an increase in the demand for searches for flights to the UAE, as it recorded a 104% increase in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2019, noting that the countries that topped the searches were Saudi Arabia by 23%, India was followed by 22%, followed by Egypt and Kuwait with 8% each, and Oman with 2%.

Flight period

Humaidan stated that the total duration of the trip for travelers to the countries of the Middle East and North Africa increased by 32%, to a stay between four and seven days, noting that individuals topped the searches by 74%, followed by spouses by 14%, and families by 8%.

He said that four-star hotels topped the searches with 35%, followed by five-star hotels with 23%.

high demand

For his part, the Director General of Al-Awadi Travel Company, Amin Al-Awadi, said that the average prices of airline tickets for summer reservations are up to 60% higher, compared to the levels of the summer of 2019 before the pandemic, stressing that demand is witnessing a significant increase, especially to some stations. that returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Al-Awadi added that, in light of this high demand, the seat capacity occupied by airlines is still less than pre-pandemic levels, and therefore there is less supply that is reflected in average prices, in addition to the significant rise in fuel costs, and the forced air carriers to adjust prices to cover costs. operational.

Al-Awadi explained that the demand for airline tickets during the summer includes various stations, in light of the desire of a large percentage of people to travel, regardless of the costs, indicating that the demand begins to rise at large levels, starting with the school vacation and the Eid al-Adha holiday.

Al-Awadi warned that prices will be very high for reservations made a few days before the travel date.

Eid al-Adha holiday

In the same context, the Executive Vice President of "Al-Rais Travel Company", Muhammad Jassim Al-Rais, said that the available supply of seats on flights has not yet reached pre-pandemic levels, while demand is witnessing a significant increase, while the bulk of it is expected to be concentrated. In conjunction with the school vacation and the Eid al-Adha holiday.

He stressed that this would contribute to significant increases in airline ticket prices during the summer season, in light of expected demand indicators.

Al-Rayes stated that the prices of airline tickets may approach or exceed the levels recorded during the last holiday, coinciding with Eid Al-Fitr, noting that the state of thirst for travel, whether for the purpose of tourism or visiting family, is still apparent.

He said that most of the reservations during the previous Eid al-Fitr holiday were individual, but we expect a large demand for families' reservations during the summer.

Al-Rais continued: “In contrast to the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which was limited to several days only, the upcoming summer vacation is long, which may extend to about two months, and therefore dealers wishing to travel should adopt flexible dates while making reservations, to obtain the best prices, and to stay away from Peak times during seasons, holidays, weekends, etc.”, noting that early booking of tickets remains the best way to get the lowest prices.

• Mohammed Al Rayes:

“Early reservation for tickets remains the best way to get the lowest prices.”

• Mamoun Humaidan:

“Travelers choose all-inclusive leisure travel that gives them a safe travel experience.”

• Amin Al-Awadi:

"The prices are at high levels for reservations made a few days before the travel date."

• 104%

An increase in the demand for searches for flights to the UAE during the first quarter of 2022.

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