UAE travel to UK expected to spike, starting with Eid Al Fitr
The UK is expected to have a record number of visitors from UAE once the testing restrictions are lifted for vaccinated travelers
In the UK, COVID testing will be unnecessary for fully vaccinated passengers as of Feb 11, and this is expected to create an environment where travel between the UK and the UAE will hit all-time highs during the Eid Al Fitr holidays, according to travel agents.
These past two years have been especially difficult for British living outside the UK, and they will now be able to visit home without difficulties.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps stated: “From 4 am on February 11, and in time for the half-term break, eligible fully vaccinated passengers arriving in the UK will no longer have to take a post-arrival lateral flow test. That means that after months of pre-departure testing, post-arrival testing, self-isolation, additional expense, all that fully vaccinated people will now have to do when they travel to the UK, is to verify their status via a passenger locator form.”
Travel professionals in the UAE have predicted that the Eid Al Fitr holidays will kickstart the UK summer travel season, as the region is expected to be especially popular with UAE travelers this year as friends and family are looking to reunite.
The UK-UAE corridor is a strong one, and has been even with these travel restrictions. The relaxed rules will only intensify the demand. Leisure travel to the UK from UAE is expected to hit 2019 levels by this spring and summer.
UAE residents have had an exceptionally high vaccination rate, which has opened destinations up to them earlier than some other nations, but reduced regulations will help even more.
Travel professionals in the UAE state that the UK is a preferred destination because of iconic tourist destinations, because of the language spoken, because of high standards of safety and cleanliness, and because of access to Halal food.
Ever-changing restrictions have made travel there difficult, but this newest development is a game-changer, and just in time for the busiest travel season.
