Dubai: Demand for short-haul trips, among UAE travellers, to nearby beach destinations is soaring ahead of Eid Al Adha. To keep up with the high demand, travel companies are rolling out aggressive last-minute deals to lure travellers.
According to Emirates Group’s dnata Travel – the travel division of the air services company – Eid Al Adha bookings are up 15 per cent compared to last year, reflecting a strong appetite for outbound travel during key public holidays. It added that travel demand during the Eid break is 30 per cent higher than regular periods.
Top destinations among UAE travellers this Eid include Turkey, Thailand and Japan, according to Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure at dnata Travel. “Eid continues to be one of the busiest travel periods in the UAE, and this year is no exception. We’re seeing consistent year-on-year growth, driven by travellers who are increasingly strategic about planning their holidays,” said Meerah.
Short-haul travel
Meerah also said the most booked destinations include Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius, Turkey, Sri Lanka, and Azerbaijan, all reachable within a four- to six-hour flight from the UAE.
“The data shows a clear preference for short-haul travel during Eid, with most trips averaging around four days,” she said.
“Travellers are being intentional – choosing destinations that offer convenience and value now while planning longer, more in-depth holidays for the summer season from July onward,” Meerah stated.
Some long-haul travel
While short-haul escapes remain the most popular, dnata also said there is strong demand for longer-haul destinations such as Italy, France and Spain in the West, Thailand and Japan in the East.
Trip duration trends show that travellers book around four days for nearby getaways and up to six days for more distant holidays, depending on the destination.
Last-minute deals
dnata Travel said they’ve launched a range of curated Eid holiday packages that combine value and flexibility for families, couples, and solo travellers alike to cater to the high demand. Travellers are encouraged to book early, as limited availability and rising demand are expected to drive bookings over the coming days.
Here are a few deals:
- Sri Lanka from Dh2,730 per person – return airfare, 3-night stay at Avani Kalutara Resort with daily breakfast
- Thailand from Dh2,810 per person – return airfare, 3-night stay at Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi with daily breakfast
- Turkey from Dh2,990 per person – return airfare, 3-night stay at Hilton Istanbul Bosphorus with daily breakfast
- Maldives from Dh4,090 per person – return airfare, 3-night stay at Kuramathi Maldives with daily breakfast and return speedboat transfers
- Mauritius from Dh6,270 per person – return airfare, 3-night stay at The Westin Mauritius Turtle Bay Resort and Spa with daily breakfast and dinner
Source : gulfnews.com
