India has become the leading destination for UAE travellers preparing for the upcoming 54th National Day long weekend, according to new search data released by Skyscanner.
Long weekend demand
The UAE government confirmed that 1 and 2 December will be public holidays for Eid Al Etihad, giving residents and citizens a four-day break including the weekend. Despite cooler weather at home, many travellers are opting for short overseas trips.
Search data collected between July and November shows that six Indian cities ranked among the ten most-searched destinations for travel between 28 November and 4 December.
Kozhikode, Kochi, Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram, New Delhi and Kannur led the list, driven by cultural appeal, short flight times and strong connectivity. Manila, London and Cairo completed the top destinations.
Traveller habits
With offices scheduled to reopen on Wednesday, 3 December, 79% of UAE travellers searched for trips lasting a week or less. On average, searches were made 54 days before departure.
India also topped the list of most-searched countries, followed by Pakistan and the UK. Other popular choices included Egypt, the Philippines, Thailand, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka.
Expert insight
Ayoub El Mamoun, Travel Expert at Skyscanner, said: “Holidays during the UAE’s National Day celebrations have always been popular for travellers and this year is no different, as people look to make the most of the long weekend by flying overseas. Convenience and ease of accessibility are two key major factors when it comes to selecting trip locations and we are seeing that locations in Europe and Asia continue to be popular choices.
“It is no surprise that six of India’s cities featured in the top 10 list, while it is also ranked first ahead of Pakistan and the UK for destination countries. Given that flight times range between three and four hours, as well as a mix of cultural and leisure options, it’s clear why travellers are opting for India for a quick getaway.”
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
