90% Of UAE Holidaymakers Will Travel Overseas This Eid Al Fitr, New dnata Survey Reveals

As holidaymakers from the UAE gear up for Eid Al Fitr and the spring break, a notable shift towards international travel has been observed. dnata Travel reports a remarkable 90% of its customers are now booking trips abroad for the year 2025, indicating a significant preference for exploring global destinations during these holiday seasons.

In contrast, during Eid Al Fitr 2024, the distribution of travel bookings was more balanced, with 60% of holidaymakers choosing to venture outside the UAE, while 40% preferred to stay within the country for their vacations.

The experts at dnata Travel suggest that the reason behind this surge in international travel for Eid Al Fitr is its coinciding with the spring break. This alignment allows families to take advantage of the extended holiday period, enabling them to travel further and explore more diverse destinations.

Meerah Ketait, who leads Retail and Leisure in the UAE for dnata Travel, shared insights into the evolving travel preferences, stating, "One of the key travel trends for 2024 and 2025 is growing demand for long-haul destinations. Travellers are booking longer stays in more distant locations, with many looking for unique and less-explored parts of popular travel hotspots."

For the upcoming Eid Al Fitr and Spring break in 2025, there's a pronounced interest in exploring cities such as Madrid and Ho Chi Minh City. Ketait further explained, "More travellers are approaching our experts this year to check off bucket-list destinations, while making the most of longer holiday periods with family and friends." This illustrates a growing trend of travelers wanting to maximise their holiday experience by visiting dream destinations and making lasting memories with loved ones.

Comparatively, the overall booking numbers – encompassing both domestic and international trips – have seen a 65% increase from the previous Eid holiday. This surge underscores a robust desire for travel among the UAE’s residents.

The top destinations drawing the most interest include the Maldives, Spain, Mauritius, France, and Sri Lanka. Additionally, countries like Vietnam, Japan, Italy, and Switzerland are experiencing the highest growth in demand compared to last year, further reflecting the expanding horizons of UAE travelers.

The rise in international bookings for future holiday periods signals a strong preference for overseas adventures among UAE travelers. With the alignment of Eid Al Fitr with spring break in 2025, families are seizing the opportunity to extend their holidays and explore new destinations.

This trend towards longer, more distant vacations highlights a shift in travel preferences, with a focus on unique experiences in renowned travel spots and bucket-list cities. As the demand for travel continues to grow, it reflects the changing dynamics of holiday planning among residents in the UAE.