UAE Summer Travel: Growing Expenses, Is It Worth It?

UAE Summer Travel: Growing Expenses, Is It Worth It?

As the summer break arrives in the United Arab Emirates, travel fever also peaks. According to a recent survey, many UAE residents are digging deep into their pockets for vacations—and some are spending up to 45,000 dirhams for a single trip. The largest share of expenses is taken up by airfare and accommodation costs, especially for trips to Europe or South America.

Summer Vacations Exceeding Planned Budgets

Data from marketing research firm Toluna shows that 24% of the UAE population is spending at least 10,000 dirhams per person on summer travel this year. However, many are spending three times as much—for example, a two-week getaway to Germany could be quite costly. In this case, the airfare cost 6,000 dirhams, accommodation was 10,000 dirhams, transportation was around 3,000, meals were 4,000, while shopping and other expenses totaled 7,000 dirhams. Overall, the traveler spent about 30,000 dirhams, despite calculating the costs in advance.

Several factors influence the higher-than-expected prices, including currency exchange rates and inflation. While many would opt for cheaper destinations, such as Turkey, Europe remains appealing for its service quality and cultural experiences.

Brazil: Affordable Country, Expensive to Get There

A family of three, for example, paid 30,000 dirhams for Dubai to Rio de Janeiro flights, and spent another 13,000 dirhams on accommodation, meals, and activities—bringing their total to 45,000 dirhams, not including gifts. Interestingly, Brazil is considered a "not expensive" country among travelers, but the cost of airfare significantly increases the overall budget.

Turkey: A Favorite Destination for UAE Residents

According to the Toluna survey, Turkey remains one of the most popular destinations for UAE residents due to its favorable value-for-money ratio and cultural proximity. A traveling group of four spent around 5,000-6,000 dirhams per person for the entire trip, including flights, accommodation, and daily expenses.

It's interesting that despite the country's continued popularity, the number of Arab visitors dropped by 20–40% over the past two years—possibly due to changing price structures or cultural and language differences. Nevertheless, many travelers speak positively about their experiences and plan to return.

Why Bear the High Costs?

The answer varies: some travel for professional development, others for family visits, while many travel for relaxation. Weather conditions—especially the hot summer months in the UAE—provide another strong motivator. Many simply want to escape the quotidian routine and recharge in a cooler, calmer environment.

Summary

The cost of summer travel for UAE residents has significantly increased, mainly due to airfare and accommodation expenses. Still, many are willing to spend considerable sums for relaxation, learning, or family gatherings. Conscious planning and cost estimation can help avoid excessive expenses, but it seems that the value of summer experiences still outweighs the financial costs for many.

(Based on a survey by Toluna.)