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Amusement parks 'most preferred' staycation spot in UAE

DUBAI, July 15, 2019

More than half of UAE residents (54 per cent) said they prefer taking staycations visiting an amusement or water park in the country, a new YouGov study revealed.

In recent times, there has been an affinity among travellers globally towards a staycation- a shorter holiday within the country or day trips exploring destinations in one’s own city.

YouGov’s research showed that after amusement parks, a trip to a nature or wildlife retreat is the second most preferred type of staycation by UAE residents (45 per cent), followed by an adventure or sports-related outing (40 per cent).

Furthermore, more than a third (35 per cent) like taking luxury-related trips and just more than a quarter (28 per cent) prefer going to special events or concerts in the county.  Comparatively, staycations that are wellness-related (19 per cent) and spiritual in nature (18 per cent) are less popular among people.

YouGov’s research showed that the preference for a staycation seems to vary according to one’s place in the family life cycle. Although an amusement park is the top preference of all, singles and married couples without children are more likely than families (with children) to choose an adventurous outing (45 per cent vs 36 per cent), while families are more likely than those without children to pick nature (48 per cent vs 42 per cent) and luxury-related trips (38 per cent vs 32 per cent) for short getaways.

At present, around seven in 10 people (69 per cent) said they have taken a staycation at least once in the last year, with just under a third (29 per cent) claiming to have taken such a break two to four times a year. Arab expats seem to be the most rejuvenated and just over a fifth (21 per cent) said they took more than 10 staycations in the last year.

Spending time with family (said by 56 per cent) and relaxing and unplugging (54 per cent) are the biggest pulls for a staycation. Some people even plan to explore places and meet new people (31 per cent) or to celebrate special occasions (24 per cent).

Moreover, the affordable nature of a staycation makes it the most ideal holiday option for the majority (60 per cent), especially families, who are more likely than the singles or couples to choose a staycation for its pocket-friendliness (65 per cent vs 56 per cent).

Popular staycation destinations

With an array of tourist offerings, it is not surprising that most of the surveyed respondents (45 per cent) are likely to consider Dubai for their next trip within the Emirates. Large numbers are also considering Ras Al Khaimah (39 per cent), Abu Dhabi (37 per cent) and Fujairah (34 per cent). While more men than women said they are considering Dubai for their next staycation (49 per cent vs 38 per cent), a higher proportion of women are planning to visit Ras al Khaimah (47 per cent vs 36 per cent).

Focusing on perceptions of the UAE’s amusement parks over the past 12 months, YouGov BrandIndex, the daily brand tracking tool, reveals that Global Village is the top amusement park in the UAE with an Index score of 38.9, followed by Ferrari World Abu Dhabi (27.6) and Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi (20.6).

Despite being a seasonal destination, Global Village is one of the most popular attractions in the UAE. The Ferrari-themed park and Yas Waterworld are some of the other hotspots with a range of family-friendly rides and attractions. - TradeArabia News Service




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