THE demand for adventure and trekking packages is rocketing in Oman and the United Arab Emirates, a development that comes in tandem with the emergence of budget accommodation travel in the Middle East.
Sales in backpacking packages in the UK are expected to rises by an average 14 and 17 per cent from 2007 to 2012, according to this year’s WTM Global Trends Report 2008, produced in association with global market intelligence firm Euromonitor International.
According to the report, this was due mainly to the presence of an increasingly young population of UK expatriates in the Middle East as well as an audience of adventurous Western travellers.
The expats are realising they are on the doorstop of destinations such as Oman and Yemen that have rich and fascinating eco-systems to explore.
Oman’s arrivals will be propelled from 1.8 million last year to more than six million in four years’ time.
“Governments and tourism authorities in the region should start promoting the untapped adventure and eco-tourism destinations among suppliers and travel agents,” said Fiona Jeffery, chairman of World Travel Market. “There are many more in UAE, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and even Bahrain.”
Low cost airlines and environmentally friendly budget hotels, youth hostels and motels all add to the potentially lucrative market.
The pool of expatriates across the thriving Gulf nations multiplies five per cent annually. They have disposable income and travel and tourism increases simultaneously.
More than 80 per cent of the UAE’s three million population is made up of expatriates.
“That means a possible two million are likely to travel once a year. People take short breaks, return home for a spell, satisfy their curiosity about seeing other parts of the Middle East and this has all played a part in the incredible and exciting tourism upsurge over the past decade”, said Jeffery.
Euromonitor International revealed that the outbound tourism spend of nearly $6 billion in the UAE is the highest in the region.
Commenting on the report’s findings, Caroline Bremner, Head of Travel and Tourism Research at Euromonitor International said, “The current trends resonating with travellers across all regions include the desire for environmental responsibility, social interaction, authentic travel experiences and fair trade practices. In the current economic climate, those companies that adapt and integrate such business practices into their offering will be best placed for survival”.
Some expatriates, facing rising inflation, are exhibiting reluctance to travel too far for short periods or spend too much.