UAE residents are seizing the opportunity to maximize their time off during the upcoming Eid Al Adha break, with many making travel bookings just a day before the holiday begins.
Maximizing the Eid Al Adha Break
Return flights to European destinations are available at attractive prices, with round trips to Italy from Dh980, France from Dh1,135, and Spain from Dh1,308, according to the travel platform Skyscanner. These deals are part of a significant trend as residents look to advantage of the five-day holiday period to explore new destinations.
The increase in travel inquiries for this period has surged by up to 20%, as noted by Raheesh Babu, COO of the online travel agency Musafir. He mentioned that families are not only looking to enjoy the public holiday but are also aligning it with the onset of the summer vacation, aiming for longer trips to destinations in Europe, the USA, and other long-haul locations.
Eid Al Adha Holiday Dates
Astronomical calculations suggest that the Eid Al-Adha holiday will likely span from Sunday, June 16, to Wednesday, June 19. Including the preceding weekend (Saturday, June 15), residents will have a total of five days off. However, these dates are subject to change based on the sighting of the moon, which governs the Islamic Hijri calendar.
Data from Skyscanner reveals that the most popular departure date for UAE residents is June 14, one day before the holiday officially starts. The platform’s insights show that over half of UAE travelers are planning trips lasting up to a week, while 33% are considering journeys lasting one to two weeks, and around 14% are booking vacations lasting up to a month.
Ayoub El Mamoun, a travel expert, has observed a dynamic shift in holiday preferences among UAE residents for the Eid Al Adha break. The top five trending destinations, which have seen significant surges in popularity, include New York (525%), Tokyo (330%), Athens (257%), Dublin (212%), and Malé (205%). El Mamoun attributes this trend to the adventurous nature of UAE travelers, who are eager to explore diverse locations ranging from the bustling streets of New York to the tranquil beaches of Malé.
The top five most searched cities for travel are London, Athens, New York, Cairo, and Manchester, indicating a broad range of interests among residents.
Musafir’s Raheesh Babu also highlighted that travel packages for the Eid break are competitively priced, with options such as Dh2,700 for Salalah, Oman, Dh3,000 for Azerbaijan, and Dh3,300 for Georgia and Armenia.
In the UAE, residents benefit from a combination of annual leave and public holidays. Most companies offer a 30-day annual leave policy, along with at least 13 days off for public holidays each year. This generous leave allowance enables expatriates to travel back to their home countries and enjoy vacations or staycations during the public holidays.
Four of the seven official holidays in 2024 will result in extended weekends. These include the New Year, Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha (June), the Islamic New Year (July), the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in September, and the UAE National Day in December. This pattern of holidays allows residents to plan multiple vacations throughout the year, further enhancing their work-life balance and overall well-being.
