Sleep tourism gains popularity in UAE
Sleep tourism is gaining popularity among travellers from the United Arab Emirates – tours where they can disconnect from gadgets and get a good night’s sleep. According to experts, travelling for adventure and experiences is becoming a thing of the past.
Sleep tourism, or overnight tourism, is a specialised tourism destination catering to travellers seeking relaxation, rejuvenation and exciting sleep-oriented experiences while travelling.
A survey conducted by OnePoll, published by global travel website Skyscanner, found that 80 per cent of people in the UAE have become more concerned about the quality of their sleep than even a few years ago. The survey was conducted in August 2023 and covered 1,000 respondents from the UAE.
According to Skyscanner, 46% of travellers in the UAE say they do not get the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep per night, and 59% feel they will need sleep medication in 2024. Some 63% of UAE respondents said they sleep better when on holiday.
The top destinations for getting a good night’s sleep were Hoi An (Vietnam), Santorini and Rome. 24% of travellers plan to sleep in on their next holiday: in comparison, only 21% plan to do winter sports and 19% plan to go to a museum.
In 2023, according to experts, the number of enquiries on the topic of sleep tourism has increased by 1110%. They believe that sleep disruption has become one of the biggest negative impacts of the pandemic.
As previously reported in a Priority Pass study, around 49% of people in the United Arab Emirates have a fear of switching off their smartphones when travelling (FOSO, The fear of switching off).
Meanwhile, 58 per cent of respondents indicated that they find it difficult to distract themselves from their smartphone screen when travelling, with the figure standing at 61 per cent among millennials. Thus, the researchers concluded that FOSO is real.
The survey showed that 74% of those surveyed in the UAE believe that getting rid of this fear would benefit them. Medical experts believe that people experience anxiety not only because of the disconnection of smartphones, but also because travelling disrupts their routine.
Combating FOSO, doctors believe, requires awareness, mindfulness and adopting healthy habits. Among other things, medical professionals advise drawing a line between work and personal life, devoting more time to hobbies and personal relationships, meditating and doing breathing practices.
It is also recommended to take regular breaks from using digital devices and social media, and instead devote time to reading, exercising or relaxing in nature.
Source: Khaleej Times
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