The Gulf's January 2023 travel deals, flight sales, hotel discounts and cut-price cruises
08 January, 2023
Beat the January blues this year by planning ahead for your next holiday.
There's nothing quite like having a trip to look forward to and if you're organised enough to book something in January, airlines, hotels, cruise lines and travel agents are ready to reward you.
Here are some of the best travel deals.
The Dubai airline might not have an official January sale on the go, but it is offering promotional fares on flights to selected destinations.
These include return flights to Mumbai with fares from Dh1,125 ($306), Colombo from Dh1,985, Singapore from Dh2,525 and Rome from Dh2,985. Other destinations on offer include Beirut, Tel Aviv, Clark, Johannesburg and New York.
Special fares are available in both economy and business class cabins for travel between various dates from January until April. Deals are valid for booking until February 8.
Flydubai
Low-cost airline flydubai has promotional fares to many new destinations. These start from Dh2,015 return fares for flights to Milan Bergamo in Italy’s fashion capital where the airline will begin flying to on March 10.
Travellers seeking a tropical getaway can book promotional fares to Thailand’s Pattaya, with returns from Dh2,305 and flights starting January 20, or to Krabi — Thailand’s biggest island — where economy fares start from Dh2,505. The airline will also become the first UAE carrier to fly to the Maldives’ second airport — Gan International — from June 24. Promotional fares to the Indian Ocean hotspot start from Dh2,305.
There’s no end date on these promotional fares but flydubai advises travellers that all promotional prices are subject to availability, will change at any time without prior notice and that fares can be withdrawn.
Oman Air
Travellers flying from Muscat or Bahrain can enjoy a winter deal when booking flights with Oman Air this weekend.
Running until Sunday, the sultanate’s national airline has discounts on flights to several international destinations, including Dubai, with return fares from 45 Omani riyals ($116), Bangkok with flights from 179 Omani riyals and Zanzibar where you can fly from 106 Omani riyals.
It’s unclear exactly how many destinations are included in the sale, but if there’s somewhere you’re keen to fly to it's worth checking fares this weekend. All the deals are valid for travel from Tuesday until March 31 in both business and economy cabins.
The Netherlands' flag carrier is running a January sale with reduced fares on flights to several international destinations from Dubai.
Fly to Rome, Italy's Eternal City, with economy return fares from Dh1,935. Other destinations include Manchester, with fares from Dh1,735, and Ireland, with flights to Dublin starting from Dh1,585 during the sale period.
There are also several other destinations on offer, but you’ll have to be quick off the mark as fares are only valid until Monday and for travel until June 30.
Hotel deals at Atlantis, Hilton, Marriott and others
Hilton
Hilton has more than 7,000 hotels in 122 countries around the world and the brand is celebrating the new year with a 20 per cent discount on select bookings at properties in the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
Perhaps the idea of a staycation at Hilton Dubai Palm Jumeirah appeals or maybe you want to plan a trip to the recently opened Hilton Santa Marta in Colombia or the new Iceland Parliament Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton in Reykjavik?
Guests have until January 31 to book and save.
Radisson
In a bid to encourage travellers to book their hotel accommodation early, Radisson is offering 25 per cent off select stays booked by January 31.
Valid at hotels across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, it's applicable on all weekend stays from February 2 and on all stays from July 1 until August 27. If you book through the app, you’ll receive an additional 10 per cent discount at some hotels.
It's best to be a member of Radisson Rewards for this one, as there will be a members-only pre-sale until Wednesday and an additional 1,000 bonus points per night for all stays booked as part of the promotion.
The hotel group has more than 52 properties in the Middle East, including the recently opened Radisson Palm Jumeirah, as well as more than 1,600 hotels worldwide.
Address Hotels & Resorts
Staycation lovers craving a getaway in Dubai might want to consider a January booking with Address Hotels & Resorts. There’s up to 50 per cent off on reservations at Address Boulevard, Address Dubai Mall and Address Dubai Marina when you book before January 18.
One of Dubai’s most popular hotels has launched its much-anticipated first sale of the year.
This month, there’s up to 30 per cent off on rates for rooms and suites for UAE residents, with all stays including complimentary access to Aquaventure and The Lost Chambers Aquarium. Book off-season and you can bag a room for two for Dh842.
There’s no end date advertised, but this popular hotel is unlikely to be on sale for long.
Travellers that are members of Marriott's hotel loyalty programme receive up to 20 per cent off on stays at hotels across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The deal ends on Sunday, so it’s a case of picking where you want to go quickly. Non-members can still grab a deal, with 15 per cent discount on select stays. Perhaps a weekend at the UAE's first Marriott resort is on the cards.
Source: www.thenationalnews.com