A growing number of young travelers, especially Gen Z, are choosing budget-friendly travel options for the UAE National Day break, with many opting to fly out in groups with friends to save on costs, say travel agents.
“Young travelers, including millennials and Gen Z, now make up a significant part of our bookings, with more emphasis on affordable, experience-rich trips,” said Ashiya Nazar, CEO of Akbar Travels. “They’re especially drawn to destinations that offer cultural activities, unique dining, and adventure sports.”
Recent research by online travel agency Musafir.com shows that travelers aged 22-27 are mainly looking for budget-friendly destinations, with packages ranging from Dh2,500 to Dh3,500 per person. Rahesh Babu, the agency’s COO, noted a rise in friend group bookings.
“Currently, family trips account for 35% of bookings, couples for 30%, groups of friends 15%, and solo travelers for 12%,” he shared.
Group Travel
Another agent shared that young people have prioritized travel more since the COVID pandemic.
“Younger generations now prioritize travel,” said Muhammed Azeer, CEO of The Road Tales. “Many lean towards group trips to share costs on accommodation, transportation, and activities, which makes travel more affordable.”
He added that young travelers often look for the best rates. “Their spending varies depending on the destination and type of trip,” he explained. “Most prefer budget-friendly options around Dh2,500 per trip, looking for affordable accommodations and packages with good deals on flights and activities.”
Komal Shandil, general manager of Go Kite Travels, observed that Gen Z’s enthusiasm for travel reflects their love for experiences. “Typically, they’re willing to spend between Dh2,500 and Dh5,000, depending on where they’re headed and the length of the stay,” she said. “It shows their adventurous spirit, a desire for lasting memories, and a chance to engage their social media followers.”
Top Destinations
Most young travelers pick destinations based on unique experiences. “Popular choices include Thailand and Bali for beaches and wellness, Georgia and Azerbaijan for scenic views and outdoor fun, Istanbul and Cappadocia in Turkey for cultural immersion, and Maldives for affordable beach getaways,” said Ashiya.
Muhammed noted that Turkey, once a popular choice, is less favored now due to visa issues. “We’ve booked over 200 packages in the past two years, but visa challenges are affecting interest. Young travelers now prefer visa-free places like Russia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan. These countries are budget-friendly and have easy visa processes.”
Rising Costs
Agents mentioned that ticket prices for the National Day holidays have already peaked, making last-minute bookings more costly.
“Ticket prices for National Day usually reach their peak by September, once families return from summer vacations, as it’s the next holiday break,” said Kunaal Nanik, director of Marcopolo Holidays. Komal added that the ticket prices have risen sharply, with increases between 20% and 50% over regular fares. “This reflects the rise in demand as everyone plans to enjoy this festive season,” she said.
