More Pinoys bring loved ones from PH to Dubai for 2024 holiday season

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Travel and tour agencies are enjoying brisk business here with up to a three-fold increase in visa and tour requests as more overseas Filipinos are bringing their loved ones to the city for holiday reunions this year.

"Super peak season," said Malou Prado, chief executive officer of one travel agency, adding that, "We have more than 1,000 applications this holiday season."

Ellanie Villena, owner of another travel and tour firm, said the windfall was more than what the company had expected.

"Napakalaki po ng itinaas ng bilang ng mga clients ngayong holiday season. Ang demand para sa visa at tour applications ay sobrang taas, higit pa sa aming inaasahan. Sa katunayan, nag-triple ang bilang ng applications kumpara noong nakaraang taon. Marami kaming natanggap na family at group bookings na nais samantalahin ang panahon ng bakasyon upang makasama ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay at mag-explore ng UAE," she said.

(There has been a big increase in the number of clients this holiday season. The demand for visa and tour applications has been very high, more than what we have anticipated. In fact, applications we have received have tripled compared to last year. We received many family and group bookings from fellow overseas Filipinos who wish to take advantage of the vacation period to be with their loved ones and explore UAE.)

These trips are made possible with relative ease in visa applications and a fast processing period.

If an applicant's papers are all in order, visit visas can be released by appropriate UAE government agencies in two days.

"Mabilis na lumalabas ang UAE visit visa, kadalasan sa loob ng 24 hanggang 48 oras lang matapos mag-apply," said Villena. (The visas are issued fast, usually within 24 to 48 hours after applying.)

What to submit

Requirements include copies of the applicant's Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), apartment rent tenancy contract, bank statement, residence visa, and the UAE national ID. A birth certificate and clearance from the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) are also required when bringing a minor.

The applicant must also provide copies of visitor passports, details of travel dates and itinerary, airline tickets, and, if they will be staying in a hotel, booking from the establishment.

All these documents need to be submitted to the applicant's travel agency, which will then send them to UAE immigration for processing.

Marlyn Flores Castro (in long gray dress), originally from Angeles City, Pampanga, is spending the holidays with 10 of her relatives, not in the Philippines, but in Dubai where she is now an entrepreneur. Courtesy: Marlyn Flores Castro

10 visiting relatives

Among those who brought relatives to Dubai for the holidays is 45-year-old Marlyn Flores Castro of Angeles in Pampanga, a former overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who now runs six businesses including a cargo forwarding company.

Castro sponsored 10 of her relatives, mostly nieces.

"Celebrating Christmas and special occasions with my family is one of the things I always look forward to. Having my family here in the UAE during the holidays makes our celebration even more special, and it brings me so much joy to see my children spending time with their cousins. Moments like these are truly priceless and unforgettable memories to all of us," Castro said.

Castro said she spent AED22,000 (about P347,000) for air fare tickets and visas, having booked ahead of time and planned the travel during off-peak season.

From different countries

It's a reunion for 35-year-old Kristine Joyce Ruelos, an entrepreneur from Olongapo City, who had all five siblings, two nephews and a niece fly over before Christmas from the US, Singapore, Japan, and the Philippines.

"It feels good that we're are all here for the holidays. They came from different countries and we are here in Dubai to celebrate," said Ruelos, who has been in the city since 2015.

Meanwhile, 37-year-old Aireen Paglinawan of Capiz, a personal assistant and administrative staff at a real estate company, said she's thankful that sponsoring a relative to have a vacation in the UAE is a breeze.

Her 10-year-old daughter arrived on December 9 and will leave next month. Her parents were also in Dubai last year.

"I am happy because only Dubai can give this kind of opportunity to sponsor your loved ones. And it's easier to bring them over than in the UK and US. And the process for the sponsorship for the relatives is easier than any other country. That's why I'm really thankful for this country," Paglinawan said.

Breaking the bank

Relative ease as it may to fly them in, having family stay in the UAE can sometimes break the bank, according to Janelli Valdezco-Cusi, a multimedia designer from Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

Her mother arrived in November and is scheduled to leave around March next year. It's been five years since she was together with her mother and son, who arrived a few months ago.

"You need at least AED10,000 (about P158,000) for the whole winter season's stay of four months to cover airfare, visa, accommodation, food, transportation around the city, leisure and gifts," she said.

On the other hand, 39-year-old Janina Aberin Gayem of Tondo, Manila tries not to think too much about the cost when it comes to paying for the visit of her mother, who traveled to Dubai with their family nanny.

"I don't set a budget when they visit. I make up for it by being frugal during the rest of the year," said Gayem, who works also as a personal assistant and has been in Dubai since 2006.

Investing in family

Forty-eight-year-old Felma Abiera, an office administrator from Legazpi, Albay, also keeps her mind off expenses whenever her daughter is in town. However, she does her fair share of smart spending as well.

"I spend something below AED5,000 (almost P79,000) as she is only 10 years old. I only need to bring her to where there are less expensive toys and she'd be happy," said Abiera, who accompanies her daughter on her flight to and from Dubai.

Abiera, who has been in Dubai since 2004, brings her daughter to the city every six months.

For her part, Gladys Califlores, a 30-year-old logistics and procurement manager from Laguna, chipped in with her two Dubai-based siblings to bring in their parents and two other siblings.

Their parents were also in Dubai last year, while it's been two years since they were together with their two other siblings.

"I am so grateful to God that we're finally all here. I couldn't believe this is happening," said Califlores, who arrived in Dubai for work in 2018.

Top choices

Aside from the usual desert safari and evening dhow cruise, top choices for a visit in Dubai include the Miracle Garden, Kite Beach, Dubai Mall, Dubai Fountain, Dubai Maria Gold Souq, Old Dubai and the abra ride across the river; as well as the City Walk and Global Village. The Grand Mosque, Ferrari World, The Louvre, Emirates Palace and Corniche Beach in Abu Dhabi are also popular destinations in the city.

Meanwhile, the annual Burj Khalifa fireworks display is a must on a traveler's itinerary. Topping it all is dining al fresco and enjoying chilly sunsets, morning, fog, and 17-degree Celsius weather. — VDV, GMA Integrated News