Have you planned your Eid Al Fitr getaway yet? If you’re curious about the latest travel trends, Khaleej Times spoke to experts to find out the details.
Travel agencies report a shift towards family-oriented, experience-based trips. UAE residents are opting for immersive holiday adventures over conventional getaways.
According to industry insights, nearly 60 per cent of travellers choose outbound trips, while 40-45 per cent are booking inbound travel to welcome family and friends for local celebrations. Families are preparing for Eid Al Fitr, which falls after the holy month of Ramadan. The Islamic holiday will likely fall at the end of March or the beginning of April, and residents will likely get up to four days off.
Travel agencies highlight a growing preference for cultural, adventure, and nature-based experiences, especially in regions offering affordable luxury and easy visa access.
Raheesh Babu, COO of Musafir.com, said they recorded a sharp rise in outbound travel during peak seasons like Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha, and school breaks. “Post-covid, we have witnessed a steady growth of 20-25 per cent annually in travel demand. Travel has become an essential part of life, as people value experiences and cherish time spent with family and friends, creating lifelong memories,” he said.
Surge in demand for group travel
Experts also highlighted the rise in group travel, where families and friends connect and explore destinations together.
Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Tourism, observed that more travellers are seeking cultural and heritage-based experiences as part of their itineraries. Group travel has become common, and people want to experience culture and traditions together.
“The budget-friendly regions for experiential tourism include the Caucasus region, which offers high participation from UAE residents. The Balkans and Europe remain popular for experiential travel, with Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece among the top choices. Cruise trips across the US, Europe, and Canada have also gained traction among the UAE residents,” said Subair.
Trending Eid destinations
Countries like Azerbaijan, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia are among the top choices due to their visa-on-arrival and e-visa options. Europe, Southeast Asia, and African destinations like South Africa, Kenya, and Zanzibar are also in high demand for their unique cultural experiences and culinary journeys.
Airfares on popular routes have surged by 15-20 per cent, while hotel rates have increased by 20-30 per cent during peak travel periods with the growing demand, according to agencies. As a result, all-inclusive holiday packages have become a cost-effective option for travellers.
“Even though the desire for travel has increased, travellers are now more mindful of staying within budget. This has led to a rise in budget-friendly destinations and group travel packages,” said Raheesh Babu.
Plan ahead for visa-dependent destinations
While spontaneous travel remains a key trend, many UAE travellers are also planning in advance for visa-dependent destinations like Europe and Japan.
“It is better to plan ahead for visa-dependent destinations. UAE residents are now opting to visit countries like Russia, China, Kenya, Zanzibar Indonesia, and Singapore, and the visa processing time for these destinations is a week. So it’s better to apply at least 12 days before the Eid Al Fitr,” said Subair.
