When it comes to travel, the UAE and KSA place high importance on premium experiences

When it comes to travel, the UAE and KSA place high importance on premium experiences

Loyalty rewards are considered the top payment card travel benefit

There is a correlation between travel benefits and increased use of payment cards

DUBAI: The travel ecosystem is already making a comeback after a disruptive event that has impacted every industry. Travellers are again taking to the skies for business, leisure, and even bleisure. UNWTO World Tourism Barometer shows a 182% year-on-year rise in international tourism for the first quarter of 2022, with destinations worldwide welcoming an estimated 117 million international arrivals compared to 41 million in the first quarter of 2021.

Collinson, a global leader in traveller experiences, recently performed a study of nearly 2,000 frequent travellers in the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, revealing some interesting insights. The analysis found that the region’s recovery was already robust in 2021, indicating a bright future.

More precisely, UAE travellers have taken an average of four return trips in 2021, representing a 67% recovery from their pre-pandemic average of six. In KSA, travellers averaged eight return trips in a typical pre-pandemic year (2019) and took an average of five return trips in 2021, representing a 63% recovery.

Airport lounge popularity is astounding

According to Collinson’s research, the usage of airport lounges is exceptionally