Green light for long-haul routes as UAE goes amber

By Lisa James
05/08/2021
Home » Green light for long-haul routes as UAE goes amber

Travel bosses hope the Government’s decision to move the UAE from red to amber will result in new demand not only for the region, but also for long-haul destinations that Brits can currently travel to.

Barrhead Travel President Jacqueline Dobson said: “This will open up some long-awaited longhaul destinations which are available to British travellers.

“Scotland’s connection with Dubai will also reunite many thousands of friends and family as it’s a popular expat destination.

“We’ve already seen an increase in enquiries for Dubai over the last few weeks and no doubt there will be a rush to secure holidays – particularly for September onwards.”

Dnata Travel Group Divisional Senior Vice-President John Bevan said: “The news that the UAE is moving to amber from Sunday is fantastic to hear, not just for the many thousands of Brits who love to visit on their holidays, but also for the substantial expat community there who have been desperate to see their loved ones back home.

“Dubai is one of the most popular destinations for all our brands, and the reputation it has for exceptional service, incredible hotels, great dining, culture and shopping, as well as outstanding value, is well deserved.

“I know our airline partners who fly to Dubai, and our hotel suppliers there, have made every effort to ensure traveller wellbeing and are desperate to welcome their British customers back, as are all of the other tourist-related businesses on the ground – so it’s great news for them as well.  

“This gives us the opportunity to do what we’ve been denied for too long, which is to sell holidays – not just to the UAE itself, but also those onward destinations which can be connected to through Dubai, and which are also amber or green, and welcoming British travellers.

“It’s been a long time coming, but we finally have some good news and we’ll now prepare for what we anticipate will be substantial growth in demand for late-notice departures from next week for those who meet the requirements to travel.”

WTTC Senior Vice-President Virginia Messina said the UAE is a major winter sun destination and its addition to the amber list ‘will provide a massive boost to travel and tourism businesses over the coming months’.

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