1 in 4 residents won’t travel without Covid cure: Survey

abu dhabi — More than a quarter of UAE residents are not yet ready to travel anywhere until a cure for Covid-19 becomes available, a new study has revealed. Staycations remain the top holiday choice in the country.

A survey by market research firm YouGov found that 27 per cent are unwilling to travel. However, there is also a percentage of residents who are eyeing a break outside their homes: About 24 per cent are considering taking a staycation or a short trip within the country, while 16 per cent are up for a longer domestic holiday that can go for a week or more.

Speaking to Khaleej Times on Thursday, expats said the UAE is the “safest” place they could be in in the middle of the pandemic.

“I feel safer here in the UAE. I am planning to travel for a holiday only when the pandemic has been eradicated or health conditions have normalised, especially after the Covid-19 vaccine has been made available to everyone,” said Ashraf CP, a 45-year-old Indian project manager in Abu Dhabi.

Ugandan expat Sam Kintu used to travel home for his annual leave every November but, this time, he is not going anywhere.

“I chose to spend my leave in the UAE. I fear the pandemic as many new cases of Covid-19 are still reported everywhere, including my home country,” said Kintu, who works at a popular hypermarket chain in Abu Dhabi. “Besides, there are many travel restrictions, including tests and quarantine.”

Egyptian expat Muhammad Hussein has also shelved the London vacation that he was supposed to take in December. “I will spend

my holiday here with family. We might have a trip to Fujairah or Ras Al Khaimah and spend a few days there.”

Yes to budget travel

Some residents (20 per cent) are comfortable travelling to international destinations where tourists are welcome, while others (12 per cent) are ready to venture only into places with low Covid-19 infection rates, the survey added.

Even though a number of people are now willing to travel, they remain cautious about their safety as well as their spending. Close to a third (30 per cent) prefer budget hotels that follow all the safety norms. Just under a fourth (23 per cent), on the other hand, would opt for five star hotels, the poll found.

The YouGov Omnibus data was collected online among 1,011 respondents in the UAE in October.