Travel recovery witnessed in the UAE and Saudi Arabia has been very strong, according to a survey of nearly 2,000 travel enthusiasts conducted by Collinson.
Passengers from the UAE made an average of four return trips in 2021, which is a 67 percent recovery from the pre-pandemic average number of six return trips.
In Saudi Arabia, the recovery was 63 percent, with the travelers making an average of five return trips in 2021, compared to eight before the pandemic.
Unprecedented turnout at airport lounges
According to Collinson survey, the use of airport lounges is exceptionally high in the region. A total of 98 percent of respondents in Saudi Arabia and 95 percent in the United Arab Emirates have used airport lounges in the past. .
About 76 percent of the UAE and 66 percent of the respondents in Saudi are familiar with Collinson’ Priority Pass, a program designed specifically for payment cards, enabling banks to provide their customers with a seamless airport experience globally, Collinson said in a statement.
The survey also showed how travelers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are aware of travel rewards and privileges, as well as how valuable airport lounge benefits are when offered by their card providers.
About 80 percent of travelers in Saudi Arabia and 76 percent in the UAE said they would use the card more often if it offered them rewards or travel benefits.
The three most popular travel benefits among respondents in the UAE are loyalty rewards (62 percent), airport lounge access (58 percent), and travel lover rewards (56 percent). In Saudi Arabia, these benefits were loyalty rewards (58 percent), rewards for travel enthusiasts (57 percent), and access to airport lounges (55 percent).
Priyanka Lakani, Senior Vice President, Collinson , said, “With a large number of cardholders willing to use more products and services from our daily use card providers, now is the time to take advantage of this opportunity and double down on expansion and provide more comprehensive solutions in an expansive manner.”