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Dubai: Passengers from UAE to India who had been deferring their travel plans because of high airfares can now breathe easy.<\/p>\n
After three months of high fares, booking aggregators and travel agents have confirmed that return ticket prices from UAE to India are set to decrease by 15-30 per cent from summertime highs of Dh1,800 to Dh2,600.<\/p>\n
Rates are expected to soften after September 14 and remain in the Dh794 to Dh952 range until November 1. These fares will remain consistent on flights to major cities in India. Following this, fares are expected to stay elevated until the second week of January 2024, coinciding with the festival season as well as the New Year rush, say travel agents. Moreover, Dubai\u2019s flagship carrier Emirates will introduce Premium Economy services to Mumbai and Bengaluru from October 29, coinciding with the beginning of the winter peak season.<\/p>\n
Basheer Mohammed, General Manager of Europe Travel and Tours, said, \u201cAfter an expensive summer, especially for average middle-class families, fares are finally stabilising in the India-UAE sector.\u201d He added, \u201cCurrently, fares to the Mumbai and Delhi sectors are from Dh900 to Dh1,200. Fares to South Indian destinations are also in the same price range.\u201d<\/p>\n
Many Indian expatriates returning to the UAE after the summer holidays had to delay their travel plans due to a more than 200 per cent increase in fares compared to off-season dates.<\/p>\n
However, fares for round-trip travel have now significantly dropped. For instance, an Economy class ticket from Dubai to Mumbai was initially priced at Dh890-Dh1,200 for travel from September 4 to 9 but has now been reduced to Dh845-Dh928 for travel from September 14 to 21. Similarly, Delhi-Dubai flights were priced at Dh1,073 for late August to early September travel, but they now average Dh908 for later this month.<\/p>\n
On the hyper-busy South India sector, especially Kerala, fares had surged to Dh1,288-Dh2,277 in late August. However, off-peak fares for September and October now average Dh600-Dh1,000 per traveller. Dubai to Kochi fares stand at Dh922 (compared to return fares of Dh1,427), and Dubai to Chennai is Dh914 (compared to peak-summer highs of Dh1,718).\u201d<\/p>\n
The inbound UAE share has seen a marked increase from 28 per cent to 39 per cent, indicating strong interest from international travellers to explore UAE\u2019s offerings, said Atish Thapa, Head of Business and Marketing Middle East, Cleartrip.com.<\/p>\n
Stay trends, according to Thapa, indicate that Indian travellers stay longer in the country. \u201cAbout 24 per cent of the visitors are staying for four weeks, compared to the 23 per cent choosing to stay for one week,\u201d he explained. About 15 per cent stay for five weeks. \u201cThis reflects a healthy blend of short-term tourists seeking a brief getaway and longer-term visitors, including those visiting friends and relatives,\u201d Thapa added.<\/p>\n
According to Sachin Gadoya, CEO and Co-Founder of musafir.com and Musafir Business, as Q4 draws near, the UAE\u2019s travel landscape is set for a massive change. \u201cA convergence of many factors, including pleasant weather and a busy event calendar, is expected to cause a surge in inbound travel\u201d especially from India, which remains UAE\u2019s leading source market for inbound travellers, said Gadoya.<\/p>\n
According to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai welcomed 1,223,000 travellers from January to June this year, a 43 per cent hike compared to the same period last year. With mega events like the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to COP28, this sector will see a substantial rise in inbound travel, said Gadoya. \u201cWe also predict several travellers to blend business with leisure activities,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
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It’s not surprising that Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh, notorious for his flamboyant wardrobe choices, doesn\u2019t travel light. The face of Abu Dhabi tourism for India, told Gulf News that he is one of those guys who travels with tonnes of baggage, and we aren\u2019t talking about the emotional kind.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am not a light traveler for sure! My luggage would always appear like that of a family of four, and I like it that way,\u201d said Singh in an email interview.<\/p>\n
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The actor, riding high after the success of his recent Hindi-language blockbuster \u2018Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani\u2019, claims he loves to be the most interestingly dressed person in the room, and his holiday wardrobe understandably reflects his love for all things quirky, outlandish, and everything in between.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverything has to be matching, right from my outfits to shoes and brogues to pocket squares and fedoras. Everything means everything; I like to be up-to-date from top to toe. So, all that adds up,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
The adage that the clothes make the man rings true for Singh, who lets his vibrant personality shine through his bold fashion sense.<\/p>\n
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While the 38-year-old isn\u2019t afraid to push boundaries when it comes to his clothes, his travel choices are surprisingly staid and conservative. His idea of a perfect holiday runs on these lines.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe idea of a perfect holiday for me is about getting the best place to relax with a touch of the vibrant culture of a destination. It has to be a place that I can visit multiple times and won\u2019t get bored. Abu Dhabi is at the top of my list because what I get to see here is not something I find outside. From rich culture to modern architecture, this city has it all.\u201d<\/p>\n
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And since he\u2019s the face of Abu Dhabi tourism for India, he has explored the city from start to finish. He has a few tips up his fashionable sleeves.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbu Dhabi has some beautiful breezy beaches, and they are the real hidden gems of the city \u2026 This place has the vibes,\u201d he said. He also recommends strolling through heritage sites across the City. He says there are 23 heritage landmarks that are worth checking out.<\/p>\n
\u201cQasr Al Hosn and the presidential palace of Qasr Al Watan is something I strongly recommend to tourists \u2026 Another iconic destination is the Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum, known for its cultural significance. Both are my absolute favorites,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
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He\u2019s also a fan of jumping into a roller-coaster and having some adrenaline-charged fun.<\/p>\n
\u201cAccording to me, one of the must-visit attractions is Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, where you can enjoy thrilling rides, including the world\u2019s fastest rollercoaster. Riding the world\u2019s fastest roller coaster at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi was truly unforgettable as it accelerated from 0 to 240km\/h in just 4.9 seconds,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n
And since he\u2019s the face of Abu Dhabi tourism for India, he also enjoys a string of privileges. Being a part of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix remains one of his life\u2019s highlights.<\/p>\n
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\u201cFulfilling a long-standing wish, being part of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit was an incredible experience,\u201d he adds. His love for adventure might come handy since he\u2019s all set to play the central character in the Bollywood hit \u2018Don\u2019 franchise. He steps into the shoes of superstar Shah Rukh Khan who featured in its earlier chapters.<\/p>\n