The upcoming UAE National Day holidays have seen travel bookings surge, with a 35 percent increase as compared to last year’s holiday season. The four-day weekend from December 2 and 3 is prompting residents to book their trips early and not leave it for the last minute.
Musafir.com reported that consumers are focusing more on destinations that are slightly offbeat and niche, instead of traditional tourist destinations. According to Raheesh Babu, the chief operating officer at Musafir.com, “The local tourist businesses have adapted by opening up their packages in every type, be it an all-inclusive relaxing experience or more thrilling theme park experience”. “We urge people to plan in advance, especially during peak season vacation destinations like Europe or America, as visa arrangements will take some time,” he added.
Other agencies also back these trends. General manager Safeer Mahamood of Smart Travels says the agency has increased its bookings from 600 spots last year to 870 this year, showing increasing demand for tailored travel experiences.
Besides, the statistics also suggest that 30% of travelers are now considering destination places which require visas, meaning people are now beginning to take forward early plans. Top long-haul destinations include Paris, Rome, and Lisbon, while top short destinations are of course local stays in nearby Georgia and the Maldives.
Air travel cost is also going down and is attracting more people, similar to what is happening with destinations like Southeast Asia. Tourism to destinations such as Tunisia and Morocco is rising as people look for true, authentic experiences.
When the long weekend hits, UAE is in for an extremely busy and energetic National Day holiday period in the travel sector.
