With cooler weather setting in, travel bookings in the UAE are on the rise, especially for seacations and last-minute holiday trips. However, procrastinating travelers might face higher costs, with prices increasing by 15-20% for flights, hotels, and activities due to high demand and limited availability.
The holiday season from mid-December to early January is especially expensive as schools close, and many residents travel for Christmas and New Year celebrations. Despite higher prices, last-minute bookings remain popular, according to travel agents.
Higher Costs for Last-Minute Trips
Rashida Zahid, VP of Operations at musafir.com, explained that last-minute travelers often pay a premium. “Airfares, hotel rates, and activities tend to increase closer to travel dates. On average, last-minute bookings cost 15-20% more than early reservations. Yet, many UAE residents still opt for last-minute winter getaways,” she said.
Rising Prices for European Destinations
Europe remains a favorite destination for UAE travelers, particularly countries like Switzerland, France, and Germany, which see a 10-12% increase in ticket prices during winter. Newer destinations, including Finland, Austria, and Balkan countries, are gaining popularity for their winter appeal and festive celebrations.
Zahid also highlighted destinations with easy visa access, such as Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia, which attract adventure and relaxation seekers.
Cost-effective options like Indonesia, Armenia, and Georgia are also gaining attention, with travel agencies offering pre-booked packages and fixed-departure tours. European tours are available until December 26, with return dates around January 3.
Transit Flights and Budget-Friendly Alternatives
Many travelers are opting for transit flights and alternative routes to offset rising costs. Lakshmii Annand, Managing Director at TravelzMind, noted a 60-65% increase in travel bookings, with demand for Europe up by 35-40%. Popular transit stopovers like Turkey are attracting travelers due to competitive fares. For instance, Emirates offers tickets to Paris at Dh3,900, while early bookings were around Dh3,000.
Lakshmii also mentioned new travel trends, such as stopovers in Turkey and affordable destinations like Bhutan for those who missed early booking deals.
Growing Interest in Seacations and Cruises
As temperatures drop, cruises are becoming increasingly popular among UAE residents. Zahid noted the rising demand for seacations, with cruise lines like Costa, MSC, and Resort World Cruises offering exciting options. Gulf cruises, especially those traveling from Abu Dhabi to Qatar, are also seeing high demand.
Reena Philip, General Manager at Airtravel Enterprises and Tourism LLC, observed a significant price hike for Gulf cruises. “Previously, a cabin for three people cost around Dh3,000, but now prices have risen to Dh8,000,” she said. Gulf cruises are particularly appealing as they only require a Qatar visa, which is available on arrival for Dh150–200. Some cruise packages even include day passes that cover visa costs.
With growing interest in fresh travel experiences, cruises are becoming a preferred alternative to traditional hotel stays in the UAE.
