Changing demographics and people’s increasing purchasing power are setting in a new trend whereby not all well off expatriate families make their way to their home country for vacationing like before.
These are mostly families that have been based here for long, and those whose breadwinners are working in ‘Q companies’ (a reference to companies in the high-paying energy sector), tour operators say.
“Indian families dominate the Asian pack and the Lebanese are top among the Arab expatriate holidaymakers,” an official from a travel agency said.
They mostly prefer destinations in south-east Asia, but some of them do buy European packages as well, added the official.
Generally, many among Qatari and Asian vacationers bound for Europe buy round-trip tickets. Citing an example, a sales manager from City Travels, Sayed Rizan, said: “If a family is going to Paris from here, they would return to Doha from Geneva”.
Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia are the favourite holiday destinations of most Asian families since it is easier to get entry visas, said a representative of another travel agency, asking not to be identified.
It is not easy for them to get entry visas for the United States and Britain, he added. “Some 22 Sri Lankan families applied or visas for these countries recently and only a dozen of them succeeded.”
So, many Asian families travel to France and Germany because it is easier to enter those countries for tourism, and from there they apply for visas for America and Britain.
According to an official from Sri Lankan Airlines, many Indian families now prefer to travel home via Colombo, holidaying for a few days in the island country.
Leisure travel continues to be a craze among Qatari families, and this year’s dream destination, according to sources in the community, is California.
“I am going to Turkey after Eid Al Fitr, but many families I know are travelling to California this year,” a working Qatari woman not wanting her name in print said.
Leisure travel during long vacations is a long-standing tradition of Qatari families, she said. “Many families take bank loans for holidaymaking.”
Most Qataris travel first or business class and prefer to stay in luxury hotels overseas, and that is how they end up spending beyond their means.
“Seeking a bank loan for leisure travel is normal in our community. Nobody feels odd about it,” said the woman matter-of-factly.
Tour and travel trade sources, while confirming that Qataris mostly travel business class, said Asian expatriates, on the other hand, look for budget packages even if they are well off.
Prominent Qatari psychologist Dr Moza Al Malki, speaking from Kuwait by telephone, said Qatari families liked vacationing every year unlike Westerners, who take a break of two to three years after a trip.
“Also, Qataris don’t plan their travel in advance and don’t realise they are spending so lavishly on luxury, which is a waste.”
Some families even sell properties and other assets like shares to mobilise money for holiday-making overseas during the summer break.
Al Malki didn’t agree with the suggestion that since most Qatari families were rich they could afford to splurge on expensive holiday packages.
While it was true that Qatari public servants were given enormous pay hikes in late 2011, that had not helped increase the income of families due to galloping inflation, she said.
The cost of living has been rising alarmingly, eating into the income of families. “So they are back to square one.”
The psychologist said there was a need to increase awareness in the community about the importance of savings and cutting back on things like leisure travel.
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