'Worth 3 months' salary': Some UAE residents postpone trips back home amid rising ticket prices

Khaleej Times

3 days ago

For Maria D., a Filipina residing in Al Muraqqabat, summer vacation this year was supposed to be a long-awaited reunion with her extended family in the Philippines. But as travel expenses soared, she is now considering cancelling the trip.
'The air tickets for me, my husband, and my two children exceed Dh16,000, and that's just for the round trip,' said Maria, who works as a personnel assistant in Business Bay. 'Then you add baggage costs, gifts for relatives, clothes shopping, and domestic travel; it's way beyond my budget.'
Every summer, Maria travels with her husband and two children. She said this year the total cost has increased to nearly Dh30,000. 'Even after we land, we have to pay for taxis or private vans to visit family in different towns. Food costs, family dinners, small contributions to birthday parties, all of it adds up.'
Maria has now decided to postpone the trip. 'It breaks my heart because we haven't been home in two years. I feel that it's not just a financially good decision right now.'
'Vacation cost me 3 salaries'
Prakash R., an Indian expat living in Al Nahda and working in a logistics firm, had initially planned a four-week trip to Kochi in Kerala with his wife, two children, and elderly parents. He said that after calculating expenses, he realised the vacation would easily cost him 3 months' salary.
'The airfare alone is about Dh13,500 for all of us. Then come the gifts for family members; that's a must when we go home. Shopping, domestic travel, and a few family functions were also lined up,' he said.
'When I calculated, it summed up to beyond Dh40,000. Even staying in our hometown isn't cheap anymore. You hire or rent a car, you are invited to lunches and dinners or we have to invite relatives, and the children want to visit tourist spots or amusement parks. I just couldn't justify the expenses,' he said.
Postponing to December
For Rania (name changed), an Egyptian expat and school teacher in Sharjah, summer breaks usually mean traveling back to Alexandria to spend time with her parents and siblings. But this year, she's skipping the trip for the first time in nearly the last 4 years.
'It's sad, but we had to make a practical decision. Airfare comes up to Dh10,000 for the five of us. Add to that gifts, shopping before travel, and the endless local trips we take once we are there, weddings, cousins' graduations, and dinners. It easily crosses Dh22,000.'
Her children were initially disappointed, but she says they have now made other plans. 'We'll have a simple holiday here.'
'Residents delaying travel till October'
According to Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Tourism, many UAE residents are choosing to postpone their travel plans due to the surge in airfare and overall expenses.
'Earlier, summer vacations were planned months in advance. But now, more clients are calling us to say they will skip July-August and instead fly in October or December for a shorter break,' said Subair.
He also mentioned that travel within India has become expensive. 'A one-week trip for a family of four — with flights, domestic travel, accommodation, and food, will cost more than Rs150,000 (around Dh6,500). That's without counting things like car rentals, gifting, and gatherings. Once you include everything, from airport pickups to dinners with extended family, the costs increase.'
Subair added that many residents are making decisions to avoid overspending during a time when prices are high across the board. 'They are either staying back or choosing short staycations within the UAE instead.'