India voted top destination for UAE travellers: Visa Global Travel Intentions Survey

DUBAI: India has been voted the top future global destinations by travellers from the UAE. India (27 per cent), UK (23 per cent) and Singapore (20 per cent) have been voted the preferred future global destinations for travellers from the Emirates, according to the Visa Global Travel Intentions Survey 2011. The results come after 503 UAE residents were surveyed as part of a global study among 11,620 respondents from 23 countries and territories around the world. Results from the survey also reveal that the global average spend for the last trip taken by respondents in the past two years was USD 1,481, rising to an expected global average of USD 1,895 when travelling in the next two years. The survey also found the availability of good deals (70 per cent), natural scenery (69 per cent), political stability and good weather (both 66 per cent), and new destinations (65 per cent) as top factors which influence global travellers' choice of destinations. Kamran Siddiqi, General Manager for Visa Middle East, said, "With such a diverse cultural make-up in the UAE, it's no surprise to see such a variety of destinations making an appearance. India is consistently popular with people living in the UAE because it is home to a large population of expatriate, Indians who come to work here in the UAE, and because of its relatively close proximity, extensive and good value travel links, and exotic reputation that makes it an aspirational destination to visit," he said. 29 Sept 2011 http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-09-29/news/30218190_1_top-destination-uae-residents-new-destinations