Quarter of residents waiting for coronavirus vaccine before travelling
More than a quarter of UAE residents are unwilling to travel until a Covid-19 vaccine is in widespread use, a survey has found.
The survey of 1,011 people conducted by YouGov last month found that 27 per cent of respondents have “abandoned the idea of travel” in any form until immunisation is available.
Of those willing to travel during the pandemic, 24 per cent said they would choose a staycation, while 20 per cent would choose an international destination.
Twelve per cent said they would travel only to areas with low Covid-19 infection rates.
Women were less likely to travel than men, with 32 per cent opting to stay at home opposed to 25 per cent of men.
Concern over the pandemic seemed to cut across age groups.
Of people between 18 and 24, 35 per cent were reluctant to fly, as were 33 per cent of those aged 45 and above.
Not having to go to the office to work has also inspired a new form of travel. The survey found one in eight UAE residents were looking forward to a working holiday during the pandemic.
This type of holiday was more popular among high-income households.
Of those earning Dh40,000 a month or more, 29 per cent wanted to take a working holiday in the UAE.
Beaches and mountains topped the preferred list of destinations (45 per cent), followed by luxury resorts (33 per cent), wildlife sanctuaries (29 per cent) and health and wellness retreats (27 per cent). Fifty-nine per cent of people preferred to travel only with close family members.
The travel industry is preparing for a rebound as Covid-19 vaccines are tested and approved.
“No one can predict the future, but we expect a steep recovery in travel demand once a Covid-19 vaccine is available,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates airline and group.
“We are readying ourselves to serve that rebound.”
The reduced appetite for travelling revealed in the YouGov figures was reflected in the latest financial report issued by Emirates.
The company posted a Dh12.6 billion ($ 3.4bn) loss for the first half of the 2020-21 financial year.
But news of an effective vaccine produced by Pfizer with a reported 90 per cent success rate offers hope for the travel industry.
Phase 3 clinical trials of the vaccine are continuing and further results are expected later this month.