Global travel app Skyscanner has shared the latest trends shaping industry and traveller behaviour in its Travel Trends 2025 report. When choosing where to go, cost still plays the most important part.
Affordable travel from UAE
Travelling from the UAE to exciting destinations has become more affordable due to recent airfare reductions.
Bucharest, Romania now offers a 35% price drop, making its historic charm and modern flair more accessible.
Trabzon, Turkey, with a 31% fare reduction, is attractive for its natural landscapes and rich history.
Beijing, China, has seen a 23% decrease, making ancient wonders like the Great Wall more budget-friendly.
Tokyo, Japan, with a 22% drop, offers a blend of traditional culture and modern innovation.
Baku, Azerbaijan, with a 20% reduction, combines futuristic architecture with rich heritage.
These reductions are due to expanded flight routes and increased airline competition, providing travellers with great opportunities to explore these destinations at lower costs.
Top travel trends for 2025
According to the report, travellers are increasingly seeking travel experiences that foster community and collective discovery, aiming for deeper connections and shared adventures.
The top trends in the UAE include:
Astro-tourism
Astro-tourism combines the adventure of exploring celestial events alongside the mystical insights of astrology. Astrology is something more UAE travellers are enjoying, especially among Gen X, who are seeking a sense of connection with the cosmos. 61% of UAE travellers say planetary and lunar activity, such as full moons and Mercury retrograde, can heighten their sense of emotion and disrupt their travel plans.
Gami-Vacation
With the release of flagship video game titles and new consoles, 2025 is set to be a massive year in gaming. And the excitement won’t just be felt in people’s homes – the world of travel will see the effects as gamers bring their online world into real life and share their love of gaming with others from around the world. 81% of UAE travellers are inspired to book a trip abroad based on locations from their favourite video game.
Sports Mode
The rise of ‘behind-the-scenes’ sports shows like Netflix’s Drive to Survive, Break Point and Full Swing are bringing sports to new audiences like never before, fuelling a growth in sports travel to experience these events and destinations with other like-minded fans in real life. 43% of 25-34-year-olds, and 45% of all UAE travellers, plan to travel either domestically or internationally to see a sporting event in 2025. Their top three reasons include entertainment (65%), feeling of excitement (58%), and getting to see their favourite sporting star(s) in action (44%).
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
