In no time, UAE residents will be gearing up to plan their travel during the Eid-Al-Fitr break. While the official holiday dates have not been declared yet, residents are already checking tentative timelines to plan their vacations.
Given the long holiday, many prefer jetting off to spend time with family and rejuvenate. Previously, The Finance 360 reported that residents don’t hesitate, even if ticket prices soar during the festive period. And now, we’ve learned that many UAE residents are opting to travel to Eastern European countries, marking a significant 18% growth in travel to this region.
“UAE travelers are shifting towards longer vacations and seeking more unique experiences. We are witnessing an 18% growth in bookings from the UAE to Eastern European countries like Finland, Austria, Latvia, Poland, and the Balkan countries,” notes Rashida Zahid, VP, Operation, musafir.com.
She believes this trend aligns with the increasing demand for affordable luxury, rich cultural experiences, and accessible travel options.
Rashida adds, “While traditional favorites like Switzerland, France, and Germany remain strong, travelers are increasingly seeking diverse experiences and exploring new horizons. Additionally, the rise of e-visa and visa-on-arrival options in countries like Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia, along with the ease of travel within the GCC, is driving a surge in short getaways combining adventure and relaxation.”
Meanwhile, Gurpreet Singh, Founder & CEO, Travel Windo Tourism, shares similar insights saying, “We’ve definitely noticed a growing interest in European destinations from UAE residents. While traditional favorites like London, Paris, Canada, and Rome continue to be popular, we’ve seen a notable increase in bookings for destinations like Amsterdam, Vienna, and the Scandinavian countries particularly Norway and Denmark.”
Singh elaborates that the appeal of these destinations lies in their unique cultural experiences, natural landscapes, and cooler climates, which offer a welcome respite from the UAE’s summer heat.
“We’ve also observed rising interest in more off-the-beaten-path destinations like the Balkans Croatia, Slovenia, and the Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania,” he explains.
Experts suggest that predicting ticket costs is challenging as the airfares keep fluctuating. However, based on current trends and data, Gurpreet estimates that people traveling during the Eid break to European destinations may spend between AED4,000 to AED8,000 depending on the specific destination, airline, and booking time.
“Of course, these are just estimates, and early bookings often secure better deals. Usually on weekends flight rates are higher, for that specific reason, by deeply monitoring on travel market sometimes we prepurchase flight tickets for better deals,” he concludes.
