The removal of PCR tests has helped demand, travel experts say.
File photo
Travel demand to and from the United Arab Emirates is expected to increase in the coming weeks as Covid-19 safety protocols for inbound travel have eased, travel agents say.
Bharat Aidasani, managing partner of Pluto Travels, said demand has been increasing since the PCR requirement for inbound travelers was scrapped by UAE authorities.
“Travel to UAE is almost back to pre-pandemic level and now people are saving around Dh250 by traveling from India to UAE. tickets only after the PCR results may have contributed to the high demand for inbound travel,” Aidasani said.
As of February 26, the UAE National Authority for Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management (NCEMA) said that vaccinated travelers to the UAE are not required to submit a PCR test before their trip.
Additionally, most destinations around the world have relaxed Covid-19 protocols and now exempt vaccinated travelers from carrying PCR test results.
Taha Siddique, owner of Siddique Travel in India, said he had received unexpected requests for trips to the United Arab Emirates after restrictions were eased. “Since the news broke, I have been getting more and more travel requests. Many of my clients who are going to Dubai for short business trips have resumed their travels,” Siddique said.
“The removal of rapid PCR/PCR tests has brought a sigh of relief to business travelers and tourists to the UAE,” he added.
READ ALSO :
Many Indian travelers consider Dubai to be an ideal tourist destination for short breaks. “People haven’t traveled for a long time, and I feel like in the coming months people are ready to travel to Dubai,” Taha said.
Aidasani also pointed out that many locals are planning trips to their hometowns for meetings. “The demand will skyrocket for countries like India, Europe, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Philippines in the summer, as several residents go on vacation after a long period,” he added.
UAE residents also travel to the Balkans and Central Asian countries for short trips. “It is safe to travel to Central Asian countries and flights are almost at capacity,” he concluded.
