VFS Global, the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide, processed over 40,000 UAE visa applications since Dubai’s borders reopened in 2021.
The data reflects the significant contribution of VFS Global’s Dubai Visa Processing Centre (DVPC), an exclusive visa application processing facility for Emirates Airline passengers, in restoring Dubai-bound travel from India.
The Dubai Visa Processing Centre (DVPC), an exclusive facility for Emirates Airline customers, played a significant role as Dubai records a historical recovery in visitor volumes.
Dubai recorded 32% year-on-year (YoY) visitor growth in 2021, marking the first notable sign of recovery in the international travel sector, according to data published by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism.
India, the top source market for the UAE, witnessed 5.3% YoY growth in travellers, with 910,000 visiting the popular Gulf destination in 2021, despite the withdrawal of commercial flights from India and frequent travel restrictions imposed during the pandemic.
According to the organisers, EXPO 2020 Dubai has been the strong draw for travellers as overall EXPO visitor numbers exceeded 19 million.
According to VFS Global, DVPC restarted operations as soon as UAE (Dubai) borders reopened on June 25, 2020.
“Our teams have been working seven days a week and ensured quick turn-around times for all visa applications,” said Noel Swain, Business Head – Passport Services, eVisa and tourism services VFS Global, adding, “We disseminated information on health-related protocols as per Emirates Airlines to all applicants to ensure they have a seamless and smooth trip to Dubai.”
VFS Global’s relationship with the UAE government started in 2002 with Emirates Airline. The company has processed more than 3 million UAE (Dubai) visa applications for Emirates Airline customers.
A release in the last quarter of 2021 throws interesting information on India’s strong outbound interest and intent:
Thomas Cook India & SOTC survey reveals significant travel intent for last quarter 2021
UAE & Expo 2020 a key driver
- Over 85% respondents keen to travel between Oct–Dec 2021
- 77% interested in international holidays; of this 60% indicate intent to visit the UAE with Expo 2020 heading the list of favourites
- Average duration of stay for Expo 2020: 4 – 7 nights
- Key Consumer segments: Families, Couples, Millennials (Techies), Education/Students; MICE, Business (start-ups with Tech background, Trade Associations, CXO/CIOs) & B-leisure
- Average Age group: 35 years and above
- Willingness to spend: Average Rs. 70,000 per person (4 nights); upward of Rs 2,50,000 for a luxury trip
Thomas Cook India and its Group Company SOTC Travel Ltd. have jointly surveyed over 2500 customers across India’s key metros like Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai and mini-metros like Pune and Tier 2 & 3 source markets, including Jaipur, Lucknow, Madurai, Kochi, Indore, Cuttack, Nagpur, Ahmedabad and Surat.
Demand for Expo 2020 Dubai extends across a range of segments:
- Business Travellers (MNCs, India corporate houses, SMEs) & Trade Associations: 15%
- MICE Travellers: 25%
- Leisure Travellers (Families/ Extended families, Couples, Millennials, Seniors): 45%
- Education: 15%
No. of Visits & Duration of Stay:
- 47% respondents are likely to visit Expo 2020 at least once between October – December 2021
- 57% respondents indicated they would visit the Expo more than once (Oct 2021 – March 2022)
- Average duration of stay: ranges from 4 – 7 nights
Willingness to Spend:
Approx. Rs. 70,000 for a trip of 4 nights to upward of Rs. 250,000 per person for luxury products
Customer Wishlist: Top Activities/Experiences at Expo 2020 Dubai:
- Business: Automation presentations/launches, Sustainability ideation, Architectural innovations, Seminars & Summits, Business engagements
- MICE: Networking, Award ceremonies & Gala Business Events
- Families: Mars-inspired playground, penguin robots, an array of fun activity like an exciting transparent slide, children menus and family-friendly dining options, extravagant fireworks
- Couples: Future of space travel, driverless cars, exciting acrobatic and opera shows, robotic bands, walk through waterfalls, rivers, mangroves, and wander through streets of famous world cities
- Millennials: Workshops by world-renowned chefs, Futuristic Culinary Experiences – Lunch with robots, sensory engagement with innovative technologies, Virgin Hyperloop One simulator experience, healthcare innovations, A.R. Rahman’s Firdaus Orchestra, Expo Beats – shows & performances, Late Nights @ Expo and @ Expo for people & artists from across the world
More good news for Indian travellers bound for Dubai – waiver of the pre-departure PCR test for fully vaccinated Indian travellers.
There is more good news in store with reference to the recent announcement for Dubai announcing a waiver of the pre-departure PCR test for fully vaccinated Indian travellers.
Daniel D’souza, President & Country Head, SOTC Travel explained, “The welcoming news on the waiver of the pre-departure PCR test for fully vaccinated Indian travellers on the back of scrapping of the seven-day home quarantine comes is a positive move for the industry. Dubai is one of the leading favourite short-haul destinations for customers across segments and this waiver makes travelling a more hassle-free experience. This news comes at an opportune time right before Ramadan and with Expo 2020 Dubai being in its last month, it is the perfect time to plan their mini-cations instead of waiting until spring/summer breaks.”
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