Looking for something to do this upcoming long weekend? Why not boost your mental wellbeing by jetting off on a last-minute trip? Spontaneous travel is the key to UAE travellers’ happiness, a new Skyscanner study reveals.
According to Skyscanner’s latest study, 52% of UAE residents wish they were more spontaneous when travelling. So, what are you waiting for? There is no better time to embark on a vacation than in the upcoming long weekend.
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A new wave of travel
In a post-pandemic era, we’re seeing a shift in the way people travel, with a high volume of travellers opting for spontaneity and adventure.
Skyscanner has revealed that 42% of UAE jet-setters actually rock up at the airport with no destination in mind. A whopping 60% of travellers also book trips with less than four days’ notice. This is not a drill, folks! Pre-planned, itinerary-structured trips are out, and spontaneous travel is in.
Findings also show that women are at the forefront of this trend, being twice as likely as men to embark on a solo spontaneous adventure. It’s a sweet mix of last-minute adventures, unexpected thrills, and fearless exploring that sets the tone for contemporary travel.
Spontaneous travel can help reduce stress and anxiety
Acclaimed Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Saliha Afridi from The LightHouse Arabia – Center for Wellbeing, reveals that being more spontaneous can actually help reduce stress and anxiety.
“Spontaneous travel offers many benefits, including increased mental well-being, enhanced creativity, and improved cognitive flexibility. Breaking out of routine to immerse yourself in new environments and cultures acts as a rejuvenating reset, effectively reducing stress and anxiety and promoting a healthy mindset.”
Spontaneity is good for the mind and wallet
With spontaneity also comes flexibility, which is why booking trips to destinations on a whim can actually make travel more budget-friendly.
Skyscanner’s flight pricing data shows that being flexible with where and when you travel is the key to unlocking the best prices. With 80 billion prices searched every single day, an ‘Everywhere’ search on Skyscanner for September reveals great value flights from the UAE for as little as AED78 to Kuwait, AED158 to Jordan, AED318 to Italy or AED365 to Greece in September.
With a long weekend looming in the UAE, there could not be a better time to take a spontaneous trip!
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Ready for an epic adventure? Check out Skyscanner’s expert tips for snagging spontaneous flights:
- Explore ‘Everywhere’: Dive into Skyscanner’s ‘Everywhere’ search for an instant dose of wanderlust! Ordered by price, an ‘everywhere’ search is a treasure map of new places to discover. Fun fact: ‘Everywhere’ is one of the top picks for UAE travelers right now!
- Shake up your schedule: Searching by multiple dates and airports will give you the best chance of a bargain. Flight prices are all based on supply and demand. Flying on off-peak days can be super budget-friendly! The ‘whole month’ search tool allows you to see cheap flights at a glance and pick the right deal for you.
- Mix it up to save: Get savvy and mix and match airlines to score big on savings. Who says you have to book a round-trip? Consider flying out with one airline and back with another, or switch up your departure and arrival airports.
- Find your adventure buddy: Need a nudge to break out of your comfort zone? Enlist your partner, pal, or parent! Have them plan a surprise trip and keep the destination hush-hush until a few hours before takeoff. Get ready for some spontaneous fun!”