A positive beginning

Reopening borders between the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar will be one of the most positive beginnings ushered in the new year 2021.

Nasir Jamal Khan, CEO, Al Nabodah Travel

The reopening of land, air and sea borders between the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar is expected to see a surge in businesses between the nations. Dubai’s inbound sector is likely to see an immediate impact as Qatari tourists will begin to return to the emirate.  Their spending power and affinity towards luxury properties is likely to underpin stronger demand levels in this segment of the market.

Stewart Smith, Managing Director – Middle East & Africa, Sojern

It’s no doubt a positive development for the region. A few sectors and regional economies will benefit. We anticipate the opening to be beneficial for both business and leisure travel, particularly to the UAE. I believe in the short-term with COVID-19 restrictions, the increase will be limited, however mid-to-longer term, once vaccines are rolled out more comprehensively, we will see an increase in travel.

Saleem Shariff, Deputy Managing Director, ATS Travel

Travel and tourism between Qatar and the UAE was very robust before it was stopped and once we heard that things were opening up we were very happy and we are hopeful that the bilateral traffic will increase. There are so many projects that are happening on both sides of the border and these projects could kick off and we already got a lot of inquiries from our customers asking us when the flights are going to start, so the interest is already there.

Tarique Khatri, Executive Vice President – Centre of Excellence, Seera

If you look at the GCC in the region, the impact of GCC traffic is vital and it reflects the common values and relationship which all the countries have. The opening of the Qatar border means that it will be like before time of closure in 2017, when traffic between all the countries was pretty much a big chunk of business. For all the travel agencies, hotels, airlines, it will be a very good, positive uptake in terms of passenger traffic as well as occupancy in hotels.

Muhammad Nasar, Head of Travel and Holidays, Travco

I’m sure it will generate a lot of business as people are waiting to come to Dubai and go back and forth, families are waiting to travel again, and I believe it is a decision made at the right time.

Marc Descrozaille, COO, Accor India, Middle East and Africa

The lifting of restrictions with Qatar will ease travel within the region, resulting in pick up for some of our key destinations, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Demand for city hotels will pick up in the UAE.

Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels

The Qatari market was previously a key consumer of hospitality services in the UAE, and we anticipate, the number of business and leisure travellers returning to the levels witnessed in 2017.