The findings of a recent study on the outbound travel habits
of GCC
nationals were released yesterday (Wednesday 2 May) during a session held as part
of the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2012 seminar series.
Authored by Sunil Malhotra, senior lecturer at the Emirates Aviation College, the study,
entitled ‘The Outbound GCC Travel Market - Unique Trends and Characteristics of GCC Nationals’, interviewed 2,500 GCC
nationals about their travel habits over a 12-month period from January to
December 2011.
(Photo: Sunil Malhotra, senior lecturer at the Emirates Aviation College).
“The results of the survey are an invaluable tool for
destinations and exhibitors looking to capture increased market share from this
affluent and well-travelled market segment,” said Mark Walsh, Portfolio
Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions, the organiser of Arabian Travel Market.
Malhotra surveyed a broad demographic of GCC
nationals from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman,
Qatar, Saudi Arabia
and the UAE. He focused on 20 criteria from travel spend and favored class of
travel to destination-specific preferences and decision-maker identification,
to present a detailed picture of GCC residents’ habits.
According to the study, Qataris spend the most on travel with
an average expenditure of US$4,100 per day, followed by travelers from Saudi Arabia
at US$3,360 and the UAE at US$3,280. The breakdown of spend across all GCC
nationalities includes 54% allocated to airfares (across all classes of
travel), 18% on accommodation, 9% on dining and 5% on car rental.
Compared to the
rest of the world, GCC nationals spend 260% more on airfares and 430% on
accommodation, but 13% less on car rental. “The class of travel is also important, with 40% of Qataris
interviewed opting for first class, and between 40 and 60% of all GCC
nationals booking business class,” remarks Malhotra.
The study findings touched on the recurring theme of extended
vacations as a major differentiator between this region and the rest of the
world, led by Qatari and Saudi Arabian travelers, with stays ranging from 14 up
to 56 days.
Decision makers also differ across the region and the six
Gulf countries are split into two clear camps, with the wife usually choosing
the destination in Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE, while the male head of
household has the final say in Oman,
Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
According to the report summary, 53 per cent of survey
respondents will travel to between two and five countries for leisure or
pleasure within the next 12 months, with Saudi nationals the most frequent travelers,
followed by the UAE. “Cultural
experiences and family-focus are the two most important factors when planning
travel, with 40 per cent of survey respondents looking at taking an extended
three to four-week trip in the next 12 months,” said Malhotra.
Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin
Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai,
ATM 2012 is being held at the Dubai International Exhibition and Conference Centre
and runs through to today (Thursday 3 May)..
A copy of the ‘unique travel trends of the GCC
nationals’ presentation is available upon request.
For more information on Arabian Travel Market 2012, please
log on to www.arabiantravelmarket.com
For more information, please contact:
Nathalie Viselé, Director, Shamal Marketing Communications
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Office: +971 4 3652711 I Direct : +971 4 3652712 I Mobile : +971 50
4576525, Fax:+971 4 4278703, E-mail: nathalie@smc-pr.com I
Web site: www.smc-pr.com
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