Airport lounges popularity surging in Middle East: Report

Airport lounges popularity surging in Middle East: Report

The popularity of airport lounges is skyrocketing in the Middle East, a report said, noting that98% of KSA and 95% of UAE travellers have visited airport lounges, spending an average of just over an hour before their departure.

Interestingly, travellers rank airport lounge access as one of the top 3 benefits provided by card issuers, expecting it to be as simple as a swipe of their payment card, according to the report titled “Value of Lounge” by global travel provider Collinson.

One-third of them would even consider switching to a new card if their everyday expense card did not offer lounge access. Cardholders also anticipate access to an airport lounge in the case of a flight delay. This can be addressed by SmartDelay, another Collinson solution that transforms flight delay stress into lounge rest.

Seeing as Middle Eastern travellers value a touch of luxury and comfort on their journeys, it is no surprise that Priority Pass, along with LoungeKey, has a particularly great reputation in both the UAE and the KSA. This makes them the most widely known travel experiences program in the region, which is why 66% of KSA and 76% of UAE participants prefer Collinson's offerings.

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