Going out of town on a holiday during long weekends is how a lot of OFWs roll in this part of the world – and the question would always be: How much?
The answer? It depends on where you want to go and for how long you’ll stay.
Franie Maquinay, managing director at Pinoy Online Box, who for the past years has been going to Dubai’s neighboring emirates with family and friends for long weekends, says staycation in the emirates could cost a family of four some Dh2,500 a day to include hotel, food and attractions for a two-nights, three-days stay. “We went on an early Eid break this time because I have to be in the Philippines on a business trip,” he says.
Owen Sanchez, HR development head, for her part says she’s not too bothered with her budget. “The air tickets and hotels have been pre-booked,” she explains.
“All my credit cards are activated. I only carry pocket money in dollars, euros and pounds. Since I am a frequent traveler, I have plenty of these currencies as loose change. I also keep $1000 handy,” she adds.
It’s usually between Dh5,000 and Dh10,000 for Marianne Silloriquez, marketing manager. “I travel abroad during Eid holidays specially when it falls on a long weekend. I have been traveling since 2007 and since I have been traveling every year, it helps to have subscriptions with travel related sites where you receive regular information and alerts,” she says.
Len Arsenue, projects engineer, usually takes his family to the northern emirates. Having been travelling since 2013, he says their average budget is approximately Dh300 per head a day.
