Dubai: The hot summer and rising temperatures in the UAE have not stopped residents from taking a “staycation” and exploring what the country has to offer from quality resorts and hotels to shopping centres and theme parks and other activities.
More people are finding it better to relax close to home since they either find it more convenient and affordable or believe that this period is the right time to enjoy plenty of activities with the family and travel around other emirates in the UAE.
Based on a recent report Gulf News had published, travel agents and analysts have said that there has been a surging trend of staycation and that it is projected to increase in popularity by 15-20 per cent in the UAE this year.
Gulf News spoke to five families that have preferred a staycation this summer.
Whether they are spending a long weekend at the house or a couple of nights at a local hotel, they said they are looking forward to spending the summer in the country together with their family and friends, even if their outings were restricted to indoor activities.
Ajith Henry, 31, Public Relations consultant from India, who’s been in the UAE for five years:
“My wife and I decided to stay in the UAE for the summer because our previous experience with travelling with our six-month-old baby to Singapore a few months back wasn’t a great experience. We decided to do two four-day staycations this summer, one in Abu Dhabi and one in Ras Al Khaimah. Between now and September, we have many plans for us and the baby like visiting the zoos in Al Ain and Dubai, museums in Sharjah and other cultural places. My wife and I are a big fan of art so we kind of like to visit such places.”
“Wherever we go in the summer it’s going to be restricted to indoors so we are trying to do activities that are baby-friendly at the same time. She is already observing things and is fascinated when seeing paintings and lights. When we took her to Dubai glow garden, she absolutely loved it. My wife and I are a big fan of Friday breakfasts, so we kind of take off to breakfast places we like in Dubai on Friday. Meeting friends with babies is also on the list. This is the first time we spend the summer here. I think weather would be difficult but we are trying to navigate the challenges. The weather won’t stop our activities indoors.”
Sabine Boghos, 24, Lebanese social media account manager, who was raised in the UAE but has never stayed in the country during summer:
“Every summer, my family and I plan a trip back home to Lebanon to see my relatives and to run away from this scorching heat. However, this year we decided to stay in Dubai because I had just gotten a new job and cannot take my annual leave yet. We don’t mind a staycation though because there are plenty of things we can do in the UAE.
“On top of our list is spending a whole weekend in Fujairah camping on the beach. I think it will be a great experience for all of us. We are looking forward to it because it should help cool us down. I think the heat is the biggest challenge for every resident planning a staycation because a lot of the outdoor activities in Dubai are entertaining but impossible to do, especially ones that families love going to like parks or going out to the middle of the sea. Our outings become quite limited to malls, restaurants and cafés. I do look forward to the summer however, even though I will be at work most of the time. The good thing about the summer is that many people travel, so the city might become less crowded and calm, which is what I like.”
Anum Tariq, 27, Pakistani resident of Abu Dhabi, speaks about the activities she’s already started to do with her daughter during her staycation.
“With my super active toddler Sarah and the summer heat at its highest now, we’ve started to do more indoor activities with arts, and sensory play. We also go to play areas and have play dates with other mothers and children. When we’re at home, we usually do some cutting and sticking, and make things so she’s fully engaged and is learning at the same time.
“We are also doing activities that include the alphabets and numbers, which has gradually made her more fluent with the language. Sometimes, we bake cakes together, homemade pizzas and sandwiches. I add the ingredients and she happily mixes and realises how everything is done. This helps me develop my blog ‘everyday_mummy’ on instagram and Facebook too, so I help other mums around get ideas for home activities. Midweek, I’ve been taking my daughter out with her friends to a play area like Fun Works at Yas Mall, they get their physical activity too and the days goes by fast. My husband loves to take her to swimming every other day, and we have an inflatable pool at home too. She enjoys playing football in our backyard too, and swinging every now and then. I love filling our day up with different activities during summer so she doesn’t get too bored or antsy, it helps get her curiosity out of the way productively.”
Bhawana Sahu, India, 29, works in marketing
“My husband and I won’t be travelling this summer, firstly because of the rush at my work, which is marketing in the health care sector. Secondly, my husband has just started a new job and cannot take his days off as yet. We will be travelling later in the year back to India, and also for vacation. Our plans for this summer is maybe take a break or a few short trips over the weekends to places close by to Dubai such as Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah or Fujairah to unwind. On other days, we will probably spend our time doing activities with our friends or going to house parties.”
Karin and Penzsky Biray from the Philippines
They are looking forward to the forthcoming staycation as it gives them a chance to celebrate their daughter Iskai Alexander’s eighth birthday on July 6, Karin told Gulf News last week when this interview was taken. “I am so excited that Eid holidays are falling during Iskai’s birthday. We decided to make these four days when our holidays begin truly memorable for her. On the first day, we have planned a party at the Zabeel Park where my friends from work will come with their kids. Penzky is a gym trainer and we are expecting his colleagues to join us with their families. My daughter has not made too many friends so we have organised this friendly meet with games and dinner. I am sure Iskai will love it. The next day, we plan to be up early, spend our time in the mall, teach a few things like skiing and fun play to her. In the evening we have plans to spend our time at the open beach on JBR. There is so much she has yet to see, so on the third day we plan to introduce her to the Burj Khalifa. Then we have other loose plans of eating out, going to the movies and spending all our time with her. I am so happy to get so many hours of happiness and fun with my daughter,” said Carin.
