Many UAE citizens are considering combining the two-month school summer break with the five-day Eid Al Adha break to extend their vacation.
UAE Residents Plan Summer Getaways in Record Numbers
A recent survey by a travel company found that a staggering 92 percent of travelers from the Emirates are planning to take a summer holiday abroad this year. This trend coincides with the five-day Eid Al-Adha break, which falls just a week before the two-month school summer holiday in the UAE. Many residents are leveraging this opportunity to combine the two holidays for an extended vacation.
The survey has revealed a significant 40 percent increase in long-haul bookings compared to the previous year, suggesting a strong preference for longer and more distant trips. Rikant Pittie, co-founder of online travel company EaseMyTrip, stated, "Many families are utilizing the Eid holidays by combining them with their annual leaves to take extended vacations with their families back home."
The beginning of the summer vacation or Eid break, however, might not be the best time for tourists to book flights. According to data from travel company Skyscanner, the peak travel season for both popularity and cost occurs in the first two weeks of July. The typical family of four may save up to Dh804 (or 11 percent) if they plan their trip for the week of August 12 instead of the week of July 8, according to statistics from Skyscanner.
Despite the high interest in travel, 49 percent of residents have yet to book their summer holiday destinations. Indecisions on dates and destinations are the primary reasons for this delay. Additionally, many travelers are on the lookout for great value deals, with 40 percent still trying to find the best offers and 22 percent waiting for last-minute deals.
Popular Destinations
Travel provider DNATA has identified the top holiday destinations for UAE residents this summer. The most popular choices, in order of preference, are Thailand, the Maldives, the USA, Turkey, and the UK. Meerah Ketait, head of retail and leisure UAE at dnata Travel, noted that UAE-based travelers are increasingly exploring new locations within these popular hotspots. New resorts in the Maldives have particularly attracted interest, offering fresh experiences for returning visitors.
Throughout the summer, 65 percent of bookings are for international destinations, while the rest are for staycations within the UAE. There has been a 40 percent increase in travel bookings during the Eid break compared to the rest of the summer months. For the Eid break specifically, residents prefer destinations with shorter flight times, such as Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. For longer holidays, popular destinations include Saudi Arabia, the US, Turkey, the UK, Bali, Hong Kong, and Australia.
A notable trend observed by travel providers is the growing demand for luxury and personalized experiences. These include unique dining experiences and other bespoke travel options. UAE travelers, who are generally tech-savvy, prefer managing their travel plans online and favor independent travel over packaged tours. This preference for independence and control often leads them to opt for high-quality, budget-friendly destinations, especially for families looking to make the most of their holidays.
