More UAE And Saudi Travellers Looking To Explore Europe In 2024: New Travel Report
Skyscanner has unveiled its latest Horizons report, offering deep insights into the evolving preferences and behaviors of travelers across the EMEA region. The report, grounded in Skyscanner's forward-looking Travel Insight data, shines a light on booking windows, destination choices, and the up-and-coming hotspots for the travel community.
One of the standout findings is the growing confidence among travelers to plan their trips well in advance, signaling a return to more traditional travel patterns anticipated for 2024. This shift is particularly noticeable in the EMEA region, where there is a notable uptick in bookings made 60-89 days and 90+ days ahead of travel dates.
European Destinations Lead the Charge
The report reveals a strong preference for European destinations among EMEA travelers, with 53% opting to explore the continent, marking a 4% increase from the previous year. This trend is driven by a surge in interest from UAE and Saudi travellers, who are increasingly drawn to the cultural offerings of European capital cities. Italy, famed for its iconic monuments and exquisite cuisine, has emerged as a particularly desirable destination, making a significant appearance on Saudi Arabia's list of top trending destinations.
Shorter Trips to Popular Spots
While European destinations are drawing crowds, the overall trend points towards slightly shorter or unchanged trip durations for many sought-after locations. Spain and Greece remain top picks, with long-haul destinations like Bangkok, New York City, and Sydney also maintaining their popularity among travelers from all regions.
Emerging Trending Destinations
The report also highlights a selection of rapidly rising destinations that span both long-haul beach and city locales, as well as lesser-known European gems. Victoria in Canada's British Columbia, Marmagao in India's Goa, and Panama City have seen a surge in interest, with growth rates exceeding 1,600% and 1,300% respectively, compared to the previous year. Notably, three European destinations — Bol in Croatia, Pristina in Kosovo, and Lampedusa in Italy — are among the top 10 trending spots, with average trip lengths ranging from seven to 12 days.
Exceptions to the trend of reducing trip lengths include La Romana in the Dominican Republic and Pristina, where durations have remained stable, and Tulum, Mexico, where there's a slight increase to an average of 10 days.
Ayoub El Mamoun, a Skyscanner Travel Expert, said: "Our latest Horizon insights reveal a travel landscape that is both familiar and evolving. While traditional seasonality is returning and popular destinations remain in demand, travelers are also seeking value and exploring options closer-to-home. Across Skyscanner's platforms, we have seen incredible demand at the start of the year, and we expect this to continue as we head into the summer."
The insights derived from Skyscanner's report not only reflect a robust recovery in the travel sector but also underscore the shifting patterns of consumer behavior as the world continues to navigate the post-pandemic landscape. With improved air connectivity and seat capacity, travel, be it regional or international, is becoming more accessible, satisfying the ever-growing wanderlust of travelers across the EMEA region.
Sign in with Google