As the Eid holidays approach, Skyscanner has revealed new data that shows UAE travellers are planning and booking their trips earlier compared to last year.
According to its latest insights, travellers are changing how they book with a focus on planning ahead instead of searching for last-minute packages.
This year travellers began booking their international or domestic trips on Skyscanner 3 days in advance as compared to 2024.
This trend is especially more noticeable for domestic travel, where booking lead times have doubled to between 42 and 52 days for two-week trips, and 47 days for a trip that is a month or longer. This indicates a more cautious and financial mindset as travellers seek value for money.
Top travel destinations
International travel remains the preferred choice with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with Pakistan, India and Egypt the most searched international destinations for UAE travellers between March 1 – 16 for travel from March 29 and April 6.
The alignment of Eid holidays with the school Spring break is a key factor driving increased travel interest. This year, we’re seeing a significant rise in domestic travel demand, with travellers securing their trips earlier than in previous years. The growing trend of advance bookings suggests that travellers are becoming more strategic in planning their Eid getaways, ensuring they secure their preferred destinations well ahead of time.
Ayoub El Mamoun, Travel Expert at Skyscanner, said: “The Eid holidays is one of the busiest periods of the year as hundreds of thousands of people in the UAE look to get away with their families and friends. Through our insights, we have seen there is a more strategic approach, as travellers align their holiday plans with the UAE school breaks and extended weekends, making the most of the Eid holidays.
“With families booking their trips much earlier than planned to securing better deals, we’re seeing a shift toward value-driven decision-making. The UAE is strategically positioned that it offers easy and direct access to many countries around the world, encouraging travellers to explore new destinations and maximise their cost savings.”
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
