Seven markets were surveyed and travel and consumer lifestyle preferences were revealed. When it comes to personal air travel, 26% of travelers from Kuwait, 18% from Saudi Arabia, 14% from India, 9% from Egypt and 7% from Lebanon said they would visit the United Arab Emirates by air during the next 12 months.
UAE travelers, on the other hand, favored Egypt coming at the forefront (22.3%) followed by Syria (11.7%), Jordan (10%) and Lebanon (9%).
Most UAE travelers prefer to make their personal air travel abroad in July (42%), August (22%) and September (11%). Of those surveyed, 47% will stay away from home for over 21 days and 72% will travel with family and friends.
"The results of the MasterIndex of Consumer Lifestyle survey confirm the UAE's position as one of the prominent destinations in the Middle East. Credit should be given to the UAE's tourism infrastructure and facilities, which are rated among the best in the world, together with its breathtaking scenery and cultural heritage," commented Denzil Lawson, senior vice president and general manager, MasterCard International, Middle East & North Africa.
"The results demonstrate the potential of tourism within the Middle East. Initiatives such as Dubai Summer Surprises shopping festival, for which MasterCard has been a key sponsor for six years now, are instrumental in taking tourism in the Middle East to new heights," added Denzil Lawson.
Recognizing that holidays, travel and leisure are important aspects of MasterCard cardholders' lifestyles, MasterCard has recently launched a Middle East wide 'Together Wherever' promotion, giving cardholders from participating banks the opportunity to win 'priceless' travel experiences. The promotion is held between June 7 and September 30, 2005 for any transaction whilst home or abroad.
The first wave of the 2005 MasterIndex of Consumer Confidence survey was conducted in February amongst a sample of approximately 400 consumers in each of the seven surveyed markets in the South Asia, Middle East and Africa (SAMEA) region, namely Egypt, India, South Africa, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
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UAE popular travel destination in the region
- United Arab Emirates: Sunday, August 07 - 2005 at 12:30
- PRESS RELEASE
The recent Consumer Lifestyle Survey commissioned by MasterCard International, as part of its acclaimed MasterIndex of Consumer Confidence, reveals the United Arab Emirates is a top destination to travel to in the region.
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About MasterCard InternationalMasterCard International is a leading global payments solutions company that provides a broad variety of innovative services in support of our global members' credit, deposit access, electronic cash, business-to-business and related payment programs. MasterCard International manages a family of well-known, widely accepted payment card brands including MasterCard®, Maestro®and Cirrus®and serves financial institutions, consumers and businesses in over 210 countries and territories. The MasterCard award-winning Priceless®advertising campaign is now seen in 96 countries and in 48 languages, giving the MasterCard brand a truly global reach and scope. For more information go to www.mastercardinternational.com or refer to our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
About MasterIndex
The MasterIndex survey of consumer confidence is the only one of its kind in the region. The survey will be conducted on a bi-annual basis. The survey was designed to gauge the perceptions of people who have the experience and means of engaging in a wide spectrum of activities which dictate the performance of the national economy. Thus respondents were amongst the 'banked' population (i.e. to have at least a savings account, or a home/auto loan, a plastic payment or ATM card) and were between the ages of 18-64.
Posted by Anne-Birte Stensgaard, Senior News EditorSunday, August 07 - 2005 at 12:30 UAE local time (GMT+4)
Replication or redistribution in whole or in part is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AME Info FZ LLC / Emap Limited.
This article was updated on Mon Jun 18 2007.
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