Doha: Airfares on many routes are expected to increase by more than 20 percent in the coming months, according to travel agents.
There will be a hike in airfares from mid-May as a large number of people will be travelling to different destinations during summer. Many of these people, especially Arab families, do not make travel plans in advance and simply rush to different countries during summer, the agents say.
Ahmed Hussain, chairman of the board of directors of Tourist Travel Agency, pointed out that this year the summer school holidays, Ramadan and the popular Umrah season will fall in the same months, which was why an estimated 20 percent increase in airfares was anticipated.
“Planning your trips in advance with agents can save you from spending too much at the last moment,” Hussain said.
The destinations popular with tourists from Qatar are Turkey, Europe and Dubai.
Hussain said rates for hotel rooms would also increase in the coming months. “This is a seasonal increase. It is difficult to control air ticket prices as they depend on supply and demand,” he added.
Meanwhile, experts said an increase in fares did not necessarily mean there would be an improvement in services provided by airlines.
“This hike is not related to improvement in services,” Adil Al Hair, director general of Asia Travel Agency, said. “Travel agencies are in the private sector, which is why no one can control the prices in this sector,” he added.
Tariq Abdul Latif, CEO of Regency Travel Agency, said there were several factors behind the expected increase in airfares. “It is not just because of a seasonal change. Any increase in the price of fuel, taxes, rents and wages is also reflected in the overall prices.” THE PENINSULA
