Results of a Hilton survey unveils insights on UAE holiday seeker preferences and inspirations.
With the summer holiday upon us, more than one-third (35%) of UAE travellers say they are more likely to go on a relaxation holiday, such as a beach or spa destination, as opposed to a sports and adventure trip or city break, according to a recent survey by Hilton.
The survey, which was conducted in partnership with YouGov, polled more than 1,000 respondents across the UAE on their destination preferences to understand the habits of holiday hopefuls.
Results showed that while UAE travellers are likely to use their time away as an opportunity to relax, 16% travel to attend an occasion, such as a family event, wedding, or concert, 13% for adventure or sport, such as skiing or trekking,12% for a city break that includes shopping and sightseeing, and 11% to explore multiple destinations.
Meanwhile, 38% of respondents said they take their holiday inspiration from social media channels including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat. Word of mouth recommendations from family and friends came in second with 17% following this trend, followed by destination documentaries influencing decisions of10%.
Commenting on the findings, Aligi Gardenghi, vice president of marketing, Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) and Commercial Director MEA at Hilton, said: “One of the best things about living in the UAE is its proximity to such an amazing range of destinations, some of which are literally right on our doorstep. Experiential travel is at the heart of what we do, and with our Hilton Summer Sale running from now until September on our portfolio of brands across EMEA, we hope to inspire holidaymakers to book their next well-deserved getaway.”
According to the survey, overall travel cost was the topmost factor travellers were likely to consider when choosing between two destinations at 44%. Less important deciding factors for those looking to escape the Dubai heat this summer include safety and security of the destination making up16%, travel time to destination making up 11%, ease of obtaining a travel visa for 7% or a direct flight option for 6% of the travellers.
Results also shed light on the role of work obligations in preventing residents from enjoying their annual leave in full. When asked about taking holidays and the allocation of annual leave, 40% of those employed in full-time work said they are unable to use all their annual leave due to work pressures, with 13% saying they are unable to take the days of they want.
Hoping to inspire travellers to plan ahead and book that all-important time away, Hilton has launched its summer sale, which includes properties across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, offering holidaymakers savings of up to 25%.
Whether it’s a staycation in Oman, UAE city-breaks, an island getaway, or a family adventure, last-minute travellers can take advantage of the summer sale to ensure they get the best value at some of the top hotels around the world.
Hilton’s summer sale is running until 3 September 2018 and savings can be made on the entire portfolio of Hilton brands including Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Hampton by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Curio Collection by Hilton, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, and Conrad Hotels & Resorts.
