Dubai tops UAE staycation choices as bookings for Maldives and Greece rise ahead of Eid break.
Dubai: UAE residents are increasingly opting for international holidays over local staycations during the Eid Al Adha break, with destinations including the Maldives, Thailand, Greece, France, and Mauritius ranking among the most popular bookings, according to dnata Travel.
The travel company, part of the Emirates Group, said international travel makes up 72% of bookings for the upcoming holiday period, while UAE staycations account for the remaining 28%.
Island destinations in the Indian Ocean continue to see strong demand, particularly the Maldives, Phuket in Thailand, and Mauritius.
dnata Travel said these destinations remain popular due to favourable weather conditions and attractive holiday packages during the Eid break.
European destinations are also seeing rising interest, with Greece—including Athens and several islands—gaining traction, alongside France, as UAE travellers opt for holidays that combine relaxation, culture, and multi-city itineraries.
The trend is emerging as travellers continue to face higher airfares during peak holiday seasons, especially on popular leisure routes to Europe and island destinations.
Travel within Dubai
Within the UAE, Dubai accounts for about 70% of all staycation bookings. dnata Travel said demand is being driven by competitive hotel rates across the city.
Abu Dhabi is attracting visitors interested in entertainment and cultural experiences, while Ras Al Khaimah is witnessing growing demand from travellers seeking more budget-friendly all-inclusive resort stays, particularly around Al Marjan Island.
Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel, said: “Eid al-Adha remains a popular travel period for UAE residents, and this year we are seeing strong demand for international trips, with customers looking to make the most of the longer break through well-planned multi-stop itineraries and premium experiences.”
She added that value continues to be a key priority without compromising the overall travel experience, reflected in a rise in premium economy bookings and strong demand for competitive offers.
“As UAE travellers continue to favour popular destinations such as the Indian Ocean islands, Thailand, and Europe, there is also growing interest in emerging and alternative locations. Demand is increasing for places like Sarajevo, Bodrum, and lesser-known Greek islands, along with more curated, experience-led travel itineraries,” she said.
How much does it cost?
The company has also released several Eid holiday packages currently available for travellers departing from the UAE.
These include a three-night stay in Sri Lanka at the Sheraton Kosgoda Turtle Beach Resort starting from Dh2,810 per person, inclusive of flights and breakfast.
In Thailand, a three-night stay at the Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket starts from Dh4,755 per adult, including breakfast and return flights.
Packages to Mauritius start from Dh6,270 per adult for a three-night stay at The Westin Mauritius Turtle Bay Resort & Spa.
For the Maldives, dnata Travel is offering a three-night stay at Kandima Maldives starting from Dh7,595 per adult, including flights and seaplane transfers.
Meanwhile, Seychelles packages start from Dh7,815 per person for a stay at Canopy by Hilton Seychelles.
