Travellers delay bookings, avoid Saudi routes and favour flexible tickets amid regional uncertainty.
Dubai: Many UAE residents are pressing ahead with their summer holidays, but growing regional uncertainty is changing how they plan and book their trips. According to one travel agency, around 70 per cent of travellers who had already booked flights and accommodation before the holidays are continuing with their travel plans despite the evolving situation.
However, many other travellers—particularly those who typically book at the last minute—are adopting a wait-and-watch approach as tensions between the US and Iran intensify. Demand for travel to Gulf destinations, especially Saudi Arabia, has weakened, with corporate travel seeing the biggest decline.
At the same time, more passengers are opting for flexible airfares and travel insurance to guard against potential disruptions such as flight delays and cancellations, according to T.P. Sudheesh, General Manager of Deira Travels.
“Most of the travel we are seeing today was planned well in advance,” said T.P. Sudheesh, General Manager of Deira Travels.
“Around 70 per cent of travellers who had already made their bookings are going ahead with their holidays. There is no panic. People are still travelling,” he said.
However, Sudheesh noted that new bookings are becoming more cautious, with many travellers waiting for greater clarity before confirming their plans.
“Last-minute travel plans are largely on hold. Customers are waiting to see how the situation develops before making a decision, and flexible fares are becoming increasingly popular because they offer reassurance if travel plans need to change,” Sudheesh said.
He added that Saudi Arabia has experienced the sharpest drop in demand.
“There is clear reluctance to travel to Saudi Arabia,” he said. “The disruptions around Abha have affected traveller confidence, while corporate travel to the Kingdom has also taken a significant hit. Travel across the GCC has generally slowed because of passenger caution rather than a shortage of airline capacity.”
“Last-minute travel plans are largely on hold. Customers are waiting to see how the situation develops before making a decision, and flexible fares are becoming increasingly popular as they offer greater peace of mind if plans need to change,” Sudheesh said.
He noted that Saudi Arabia has seen the biggest decline in travel demand.
“There is definite reluctance to travel to Saudi Arabia,” he said. “The disruptions around Abha have dented traveller confidence, while corporate travel to the Kingdom has also been significantly affected. Overall, travel across the GCC has slowed because of passenger caution rather than any shortage of airline capacity.”
Changing travel habits
Despite the uncertainty, industry data suggests travellers are adjusting their booking behaviour rather than cancelling holidays altogether.
According to travel platform Wego, nearly 70 per cent of flight searches by UAE travellers were made within a month of departure, highlighting a growing preference for booking closer to travel dates.
Regional destinations continue to lead holiday demand. Georgia recorded a 7.8 per cent year-on-year increase in searches, while Türkiye saw a 34.5 per cent rise. Uzbekistan posted the strongest growth, with searches surging 78.4 per cent, and also attracted the highest share of last-minute bookings.
Meanwhile, Thailand, Vietnam and Bali continued to enjoy strong demand from UAE travellers.
The trend mirrors broader changes highlighted in new research by Arabian Travel Market’s research partners, STR and Euromonitor International. Rather than cancelling trips, travellers are increasingly choosing destinations closer to home, opting for flexible bookings and placing greater value on meaningful travel experiences. Digital tools are also playing a growing role, helping consumers compare destinations and make booking decisions closer to departure.
Mamoun Hmidan, Chief Business Officer at Wego, said demand for summer travel from the UAE remains strong despite changing booking patterns.
“We’re seeing strong interest from UAE travellers who are continuing to plan summer holidays even closer to departure,” he said.
Hmidan added that flexibility has become a key consideration, with travellers increasingly comparing destinations based on accessibility, value for money and the experiences they offer.
