Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE
For families still planning their summer getaway, waiting just a little longer could mean keeping nearly Dh2,000 in their travel budget.
According to new insights from Skyscanner, the week beginning August 31 offers the lowest average airfares of the summer for travellers flying from the UAE, potentially saving a family of four as much as Dh1,949 on return tickets to some of this season’s most popular destinations.
The findings come as 47 percent of UAE travellers say they have yet to book their summer holiday and are still comparing travel options.
Among the destinations offering the best value during the late-summer period are Kochi, Manila, Tokyo, Cairo and Denpasar (Bali), although the cheapest travel week varies depending on the destination.
For travellers heading to Manila, for example, the average return airfare stands at Dh1,791, while prices during the cheapest week drop to around Dh1,465 per person. Kochi recorded the biggest difference, with fares falling from an average of Dh1,553 to Dh1,197 during the most affordable week. Cairo offered its lowest fares during the week beginning August 17, while Denpasar was cheapest during the week of August 24.
The research also found that many travellers may be misjudging the best time to book. More than half of respondents (52 percent) believed July offered the cheapest summer flights, although Skyscanner’s analysis suggests better value can often be found later in August.
Ayoub El Mamoun, Travel Expert at Skyscanner, said travellers do not necessarily have to change their holiday destination to reduce costs. “Summer travel planning has become increasingly complex, particularly for families balancing school calendars, budgets and changing flight prices,” he said.
“Our data shows that travellers do not necessarily need to compromise on their preferred destination to find better value. Checking a wider range of dates and comparing the cheapest weeks can uncover substantial savings, which can then be put towards accommodation, experiences or simply making the overall holiday more affordable,” he said.
While flexibility is not always possible, especially for families with school-age children, even moving travel dates by a week or two can make a noticeable difference.
The study found that UAE travellers expect to spend an average of Dh1,433 per person on flights for an overseas summer holiday. However, only 33 percent said they have flexibility over when they can travel, while 27 percent cited school holidays and other commitments as limiting their options.
Skyscanner advises travellers to compare fares across an entire month, monitor live prices and remain flexible where possible before booking. CAM/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page
+ There are no comments
Add yours