Winter travel bookings pick pace in UAE, KSA: Skyscanner

Bookings for economy return travel in November and December from UAE increased by 83 per cent  in August compared to the previous month, with the Philippines and India leading the list, said Skyscanner, a leading travel marketplace. The most popular trip length is two weeks to a month (43 per cent  of bookings), it added. The top winter destinations for UAE travelers were : Philippines, India, Pakistan, UK, Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, Thailand, USA and Ireland.

Live Skyscanner winter deals for UAE travelers using ‘everywhere’ search include:
Abu Dhabi to Catania, Italy (direct economy return flight) 16-28 November: AED241 ($65.60)
Abu Dhabi to Athens (direct economy return fight) 22-29 November: AED279
Sharjah to Istanbul (direct economy return flight) 1-15 November: AED560
Abu Dhabi to Malé (direct economy return flight) 19-29 November: AED662

Saudi winter trends
Bookings for economy return travel in November and December from Saudi Arabia soar by 106 per cent  in August compared to the previous month. The most popular trip length is 1-2 weeks (35 per cent  of bookings).
Top winter destinations for Saudi travelers were Turkey, Philippines, India, UAE, UK, Thailand, Egypt, Pakistan, Indonesia and Italy.

Live Skyscanner winter deals for Saudi travelers using ‘everywhere’ search include :
Damman to Vienna (direct economy return flight) 5-12 November: SAR 340
Damman to Rome (direct economy return flight) 14-25 November: SAR 370
Damman to Cairo (direct economy return flight) 13-20 November: SAR 758
Riyadh to Istanbul (direct economy return flight) 2-7 November: SAR 1387

Skyscanner Travel Expert Ayoub El Mamoun said:  “We’re continuing to see booking behaviors return to pre-pandemic and seasonal norms with traveler keen to make the most of their trips following a long period of lockdowns and stop-start travel restrictions. We’ve seen Saudi Arabia bookings for November and December breaks increase by 106 per cent  in August compared to the previous month and, in the UAE, bookings for the same winter period increased by 83 per cent  in August versus July as traveler look beyond summer and towards winter for their next travel plans.

“The cost of travel will be top of mind for many holidaymakers thinking of a break this year and planning for 2023.  Signing up to Skyscanner’s price alerts is a great way to keep on top of price changes to your favourite destination, meaning you’ll be the first in the know for any price drops. Searching by multiple dates and airports will also give you the best chance of a bargain. Skyscanner’s ‘whole month’ and ‘everywhere’ search tools help you do that with a few clicks so you can pick up a bargain.”

“Mix and matching the airlines you choose to fly with can seriously cut costs. Fares don’t have to be booked as returns, look at flying out with one airline and back with another or out of one airport and back into another,” Mamoun added.