Luxury travel is gaining momentum among UAE travellers, with searches for first- and business-class flights rising 110.81% year on year in the first half of 2026, according to new data from Trip.com.
Searches for five-star hotels also increased by 78.48%, while bookings for first- and business-class flights rose 64.69%. The figures reflect a growing appetite for more comfortable, personalised and memorable travel experiences.
The trend is not limited to the UAE. Globally, searches for first- and business-class flights nearly doubled, rising 99%, while five-star hotel searches increased 57%.
More travellers want personalised trips
Travel is increasingly becoming about experiences rather than simply visiting a destination. Trip.com reported that bookings for custom tours, which allow travellers to work with experts to create personalised itineraries, increased by more than 600% globally.
The UAE recorded an even sharper rise, with custom-tour bookings jumping 1,023.53% in the first half of 2026.
Among UAE travellers, Beijing was the most popular destination for custom tours, followed by Shanghai and Chengdu.
Live entertainment is also becoming a major reason to travel. According to Trip.com Group, 63% of Asia-Pacific travellers have travelled abroad for concerts, while 66% said they would consider doing so. Concerts, sporting events and other live experiences are increasingly being combined with hotels, transport and attractions as part of complete travel packages.
Wellness and privacy drive luxury stays
Luxury travel is also becoming more closely linked to wellness and privacy. Global searches for “luxury” and “best spas” rose 170%, highlighting growing interest in premium retreats and relaxing experiences.
Bookings for luxury hotels from UAE travellers increased 45.91% in the first half of 2026. Mainland China and Southeast Asia are among the regions attracting travellers looking for high-end stays at comparatively affordable prices.
UAE travellers are going farther
Premium travellers are also travelling for longer. UAE travellers recorded an average trip length of 21.5 days for return flights booked in the second half of 2026, compared with a Trip.com average of 14.33 days.
Long-haul travel is particularly popular, with 50.49% of flights booked by UAE travellers falling into the long-haul category, compared with 43.57% globally on Trip.com.
Millennials and Gen X lead the trend
Travellers aged 35 to 49 accounted for 48.60% of UAE first- and business-class flight bookings, while those aged 25 to 34 made up another 27.93%.
The 35-49 age group also represented 46.53% of UAE travellers booking five-star hotels, showing strong demand for premium experiences among middle-aged travellers.
At the same time, demand among older travellers is growing. Trip.com Group said hotel bookings through its Old Friends Club, designed for travellers aged 50 and above, more than doubled year on year in the first quarter of 2026.
Overall, the data suggests that luxury travel is changing. Travellers are increasingly looking beyond expensive hotels and flights, choosing instead personalised itineraries, wellness, privacy, entertainment and experiences that feel unique to them.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
