According to a recent global survey conducted by the Priority Pass program for airport experiences, approximately 49% of travellers from the United Arab Emirates suffer from Nomophobia. Nomophobia, which is the fear of being without a mobile phone, can result in various negative consequences such as anxiety, depression, isolation, and physical ailments like headaches. The survey, which involved 8,500 participants from 11 countries, revealed that one in three individuals worldwide (34%) experiences difficulty relaxing while travelling.
The findings further indicated that travellers from the UAE were among the least likely to refrain from using electronic devices during their vacations compared to their counterparts from other nations. More than half of the respondents (58%) admitted to struggling with limiting their phone usage while on holiday, with 61% of millennials also experiencing the same challenge. Additionally, 57% of travellers made a conscious effort to avoid checking work-related inquiries, while 28% of UAE travellers checked their mobile phones every half hour or less, which is 10% higher than the global average.
Globally, over 6 out of 10 travellers (62%) reported that issues that arise before take-off often trigger symptoms of nomophobia.
Half of travelers around the world (53%) feel that sitting in the airport lounge has contributed to reducing the use of their electronic devices during their previous trips, compared to 50% of travelers from the UAE who also agree that shopping in the duty free market (51%) and eating food Drinks (41%) are considered one of the most effective ways to stay away from electronic devices before taking off.
Christopher Evans, CEO of Collinson International, said: “The ability to stay away from your mobile phone is more important than ever. Our study indicates that nomophobia is a real disorder.With over one-third (37%) of travelers hailing from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) refraining from utilizing electronic devices at the commencement of their journey, they inevitably experience an urge to monitor the progress of affairs back home. Consequently, the aforementioned program requested survey participants to formulate an optimal itinerary that would mitigate symptoms of nomophobia. Respondents from the UAE opined that the most effective means of unwinding and distancing oneself from mobile devices is embarking on a beach vacation, followed by a city excursion, a safari adventure, or a camping expedition. It is imperative that the duration of the trip spans an entire week. Furthermore, women expressed a preference for leisurely perusing the duty-free shops within the airport prior to departure, whereas men exhibited a predilection for occupying themselves within the airport lounge.