Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman are seeing the strongest growth in travel interest from UAE residents ahead of the summer holiday season, according to new data from travel platform Wego.
The findings show that travellers are increasingly turning to short-haul regional destinations for summer breaks, while interest in long-haul destinations such as China and Poland is also gaining momentum.
Regional travel leads
Search activity for Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman recorded the highest month-on-month growth during May, highlighting strong demand for nearby destinations that offer convenient and relatively short travel times during the busy summer period.
At the same time, travellers are also exploring longer international holidays, with China and Poland among the destinations attracting growing interest from UAE residents planning summer trips.
Searches surge
The rise in destination interest comes as summer travel searches from the UAE increased by 173% month-on-month in May, according to Wego.
The platform said May became a key booking period for travellers looking to secure holidays before peak-season demand drives prices higher.
Earlier planning
The data suggests UAE travellers are planning their holidays further in advance than before.
Many travellers started searching for trips more than a month ahead of departure, allowing them to compare options and secure better value before the summer rush.
The trend also indicates a growing preference for flexible itineraries, upgraded travel experiences and higher-rated accommodation rather than simply seeking the lowest available fare.
Prices remain stable
Despite the surge in travel interest, average summer airfares and hotel rates searched on the platform remained broadly stable during May.
This gave travellers an opportunity to lock in competitive prices before the expected increase in demand during the peak summer travel season.
The latest figures point to sustained demand for both regional and international travel as UAE residents finalize their summer holiday plans.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
