VISA-FREE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS MOST POPULAR CHOICE FOR UAE RESIDENTS: UAE residents are snapping up holiday packages for visa-free destinations in anticipation of the upcoming Eid-Al-Fitr weekend. Travel agencies and airlines are already reporting higher-than-average bookings up to the month, with some steep discounts on ticket rates being an incentive to get onto an aircraft. For example, flydubai’s Eid holiday travel deal to Yerevan, Thailand, and Azerbaijan is priced at a maximum of Dh3,500 for a three-night stay, which includes economy flight tickets and a hotel stay. However, travel demand to European destinations is yet to pick up due to Schengen visa appointment delays. As airfares are set to soar closer to the date, consumers are booking well in advance to get a better bang for their buck. And from the looks of it, consumers are looking to make better, more informed decisions about their discretionary spending. [COMMENT BY: Dhanusha Gokulan, Chief Reporter]
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