Dubai: Travel and tourism companies continue to offer holiday packages that combine flights, accommodation, transportation and sightseeing tours in a single deal, targeting travellers seeking affordable holidays abroad.
However, travel industry experts warn that many travellers focus primarily on the advertised price and overlook important details that can significantly affect the overall cost and quality of their trip.
Customers have reported discovering unexpected baggage charges, inconvenient hotel locations, additional fees for attractions and costly cancellation policies after booking, turning what appeared to be attractive deals into more expensive holidays.
Unexpected baggage fees
Customer Salem Al Majed said he purchased a holiday package for his family that included flights and hotel accommodation at what appeared to be an attractive price.
However, he later discovered the package covered only hand luggage and did not include checked baggage. He was subsequently forced to pay additional fees, increasing the overall cost of the trip.
As a result, he now requests a detailed breakdown showing the total cost of a holiday package, including both included and optional services.
Hotel location matters
Customer Nada Ibrahim said she booked a package that included accommodation at a four-star hotel, attracted by the rating and promotional photographs.
Upon arrival, she discovered the hotel was located within a construction area and was far from the attractions she had planned to visit.
She advised travellers to check hotel locations on maps and review guest photographs and experiences before making a booking decision.
Tour fees not always included
Bushra Al Sayed said she booked a package that included visits to several tourist attractions, only to discover later that entrance fees were not included.
While transportation was covered, admission tickets had to be purchased separately, resulting in additional expenses and scheduling difficulties.
She also found that some activities advertised within the itinerary were optional and required extra payment.
High cancellation costs
Customer Maryam Abdullah said she needed to change her travel dates because of an emergency after purchasing a holiday package.
She later discovered that changes were subject to fees and conditions that had not been clear during the booking process.
The only available option was to cancel the original package and purchase a new one, resulting in the loss of around 70 per cent of the value of the original booking, with the remaining amount issued as travel credit.
Don't focus solely on the advertised price
Alaa Al Ali, Director of Nirvana Tourism and Travel, said travellers should not be attracted by promotional prices without understanding what is included.
He said many advertisements highlight appealing prices but contain conditions and limitations that only become apparent when the details are examined closely.
According to Al Ali, the correct comparison between holiday packages should be based on the final amount travellers will pay, including taxes, fees and any additional costs that may arise at the destination.
He advised customers to request a detailed written breakdown of all included and excluded services before committing to a booking.
Beware of misleading offers
Amin Al Awadhi, General Manager of Al Awadhi Travel, warned that some offers promoted on social media are designed primarily to attract enquiries.
He said travellers may discover that advertised prices are no longer available once they make contact and are instead offered alternative packages at different prices.
Al Awadhi also stressed the importance of reviewing factors such as:
Whether flights are direct or involve stopovers
Transit durations
Hotel location relative to attractions and transport links
Recent guest reviews
Actual time allocated to tours and attractions
Cancellation and modification policies
Travel insurance coverage
Importance of after-sales support
Bader Ahli, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai World Travel, highlighted the importance of after-sales service and emergency support.
He said travellers should know who to contact if problems arise during their trip and whether assistance is available around the clock.
Ahli advised customers to:
Deal only with licensed and reputable travel companies
Read all terms and conditions carefully
Review independent hotel photos and guest reviews
Keep copies of contracts, invoices and correspondence
Clarify room types, occupancy limits and additional charges before booking
He stressed that the best holiday package is not necessarily the cheapest but the one that offers clear terms, transparent pricing, quality service and reliable customer support.
Seven things to check before booking a holiday package
Final price
Confirm the total cost, including taxes, fees and any additional charges payable at the destination.
Included services
Request a detailed list of what is covered, including flights, accommodation, meals, transfers and tours, and identify any additional paid services.
Flights and baggage
Check flight times, stopovers, transit periods and whether checked baggage is included.
Hotel location
Verify the hotel's location, distance from attractions and transport links, and review recent guest feedback and photos.
Tours and activities
Confirm which tours, attraction tickets and activities are included and which require additional payment.
Cancellation, amendments and insurance
Understand cancellation fees, amendment charges, refund policies and the extent of travel insurance coverage.
Customer support
Choose a licensed company with reliable after-sales service and clear channels for assistance before and during the trip.