DUBAI: Despite fluctuating exchange rates and varying levels of affordability, the desire to travel remains stronger than ever, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranking 9th among the top trending destinations globally over the last 12 months.
The Mastercard Economics Institute has highlighted a major shift in the travel industry in its latest Travel Trends 2024 report, showing a significant increase in travel spending and strong growth in traveller traffic.
According to Emirates News Agency (WAM), this global report provides comprehensive insights into the evolving landscape of the travel industry across multiple markets.
For UAE travellers, the top three trending destinations this summer are London, Athens, and Paris. Globally, Japan tops the trending destinations list for the past year, with Munich ranking as the top trending destination for this summer (June-Aug 2024) due to the European Championship.
Chief Economist EEMEA at Mastercard Economics Institute, Natalia Lechmanova said, “The travel sector in the Middle East is incredibly strong and resilient, supported by consumer demand and a desire to discover destinations closer to home while enjoying memorable and authentic experiences.
“It’s great to see travellers extend their stays, which is very positive for the tourism industry at large, as well as for local governments building diversified economies,” said Lechmanova. – BERNAMA-WAM
