With the five-day Eid Al Adha break anticipated to commence around June 15, just a week before the onset of the two-month school summer holiday in the UAE, many residents are considering combining them for an extended vacation.
Rikant Pittie, co-founder of online travel company EaseMyTrip, notes a 40 per cent increase in long-haul bookings compared to the previous year, suggesting a strong inclination towards prolonged and far-reaching trips. He observes that families often use the Eid holidays as an opportunity to take extended vacations with relatives.
However, those planning to travel at the beginning of the Eid break or summer holidays may not find the best deals. According to data from travel website Skyscanner, the first two weeks of July are the most popular for summer travel, but not necessarily the most economical. Travellers from the UAE can save up to 11 per cent by traveling during the week of August 12 compared to the week of July 8, amounting to an average saving of up to Dh804 for a family of four.
According to research conducted by the company, 92 per cent of UAE travelers are intending to take a summer holiday abroad. However, nearly half of the residents (49 per cent) have yet to finalize their summer holiday destinations. Among the reasons for this delay, indecision regarding dates (51 per cent) and destination (35 per cent) are cited as top factors. Additionally, the data indicates that UAE travelers are actively seeking great value deals, with 40 per cent still in search of the best deal and 22 per cent waiting for last-minute offers.
Top destinations
According to travel provider dnata, the top holiday destinations from the UAE for summer 2024, in order of popularity, are Thailand, Maldives, USA, Turkey, and the UK.
Meerah Ketait, head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel, notes that UAE-based travelers are increasingly exploring various destinations worldwide, including new locations across popular hotspots. She highlights the growing interest in discovering new resorts across the Maldives.
During the summer, 65 per cent of bookings are for international destinations, while the remaining 35 per cent are for UAE staycations. dnata has observed a significant 40 per cent increase in travel bookings during the Eid break compared to the summer months.
According to Rikant Pittie from EaseMyTrip, for the Eid break, residents tend to opt for destinations with short flight times such as Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan. However, for longer holidays, preferences lean towards destinations like Saudi Arabia, the USA, Turkey, the UK, Bali, Hong Kong, and Australia.
A significant trend observed by the travel provider is the increasing demand for luxury and personalized experiences among travelers. This includes a preference for unique dining experiences in distinctive locations. Additionally, UAE travelers are noted for being tech-savvy and favor managing their travel plans online. They show a preference for independent travel over packaged tours, valuing the freedom and control it offers, even if it entails paying a bit more. There's also a trend towards seeking budget-friendly yet high-quality destinations, particularly among families.
News Source: Khaleej Times
